Swiss A330 Tailstrike During Takeoff at Zurich Airport (HB-JHC)

Incident Overview On 26 February 2020, Swiss International Air Lines flight LX294, an Airbus A330-343 registered HB-JHC, departed Zurich Airport (LSZH) for Nairobi Airport (HKJK) with a planned onward flight to Dar es Salaam. The aircraft carried two pilots, 10 cabin crew, and 221 passengers. The commander was the pilot monitoring and the copilot was the pilot flying. ## Operational Context The flight was originally scheduled to depart at 08:55 UTC. Due to snow showers and runway conditions, the crew initially requested a departure on runway 16, then later on runway 32 after ATC announced it was in operation for takeoffs. The crew performed takeoff power calculations using the Electronic Flight Bag, initially selecting a flex temperature of 35 °C and Configuration 2. Later, due to reported wind shear and variable winds, the crew selected Configuration 1+F and a flex temperature of 34 °C, with a tailwind component of 6 kt. ## Takeoff and Tailstrike At 10:36:11 UTC, the crew began the takeoff run on runway 32. The pilot flying initiated rotation at 10:36:53 UTC in gusty winds. The indicated airspeed had dropped from 148 kt (VR) to 142 kt just before rotation. The aircraft lifted off at a pitch angle of 13.7° and a speed of 154 kt. Shortly before the main landing gear left the runway, the rear of the aircraft made contact with the runway, resulting in a tailstrike. The crew and cabin crew did not notice the contact during the flight. ## Aftermath and Investigation The flight continued to Nairobi, where it landed at 18:06 UTC. Before the onward flight to Dar es Salaam, a station mechanic detected fresh scratches and grinding marks on the lower rear fuselage near the waste water door. The onward flight was cancelled. A temporary repair was completed on 9 March 2020, and the aircraft was cleared for operation. The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board conducted a summary investigation under Article 45 of the Ordinance on the Safety Investigation of Transport Incidents.