What happened
On May 6, 2022, at 14:03 UTC, a Blue Air Aviation Boeing 737-82R, registration YR-BMM, was performing a commercial flight arriving at Naples International Airport. During the final approach, the aircraft experienced a significant vertical descent, resulting in a hard landing. The impact was severe enough to cause structural damage, specifically involving the aircraft's underside.
As the aircraft touched down, the crew experienced a sudden increase in sink rate. The landing was characterized by a heavy impact that left visible damage to the fuselage. Following the landing, it was noted that the aircraft's tail area had sustained damage from the contact with the runway.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that the aircraft was on an approach that utilized the ILS, but the flight crew encountered difficulties maintaining the glide path. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the transition from approach to touchdown. While the aircraft was descending, the crew's attempts to manage the sink rate were insufficient to prevent the heavy impact.
An analysis of the flight data showed that the aircraft's vertical speed increased significantly just before touchdown. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's landing gear and fuselage sustained damage due to the force of the impact. There was no evidence of injury to passengers or crew, although the aircraft required significant repair.
Safety Implications
The investigation highlighted the importance of maintaining precise control during the final stages of approach, especially when encountering unexpected changes in descent rate. The findings emphasize the need for flight crews to be prepared for sudden deviations in glide path and the critical importance of effective crew resource management during high-workload phases of flight.