Air carrier flight crew reported a firm landing that resulted in a bounce. Flight crew performed a go-around and returned to land.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a firm landing that resulted in a bounce. Flight crew performed a go-around and returned to land.
Narrative
Flew to ZZZ from ZZZ1 without issues; set up and briefed arrival and approach to Runway XXL; planning to land flaps 3. When cleared for the visual; the Captain suggested I should use flaps full since we were catching the aircraft we were following. Since we were still above 1000'; I agreed to use flaps full. He selected flaps full. Flew the approach; we were stable at 1000; at 500' I clicked the autopilot off and continued hand flying. It was hot; so there were a lot of thermals. At approximately 100' the Captain started yelling 'UP UP UP UP UP!' I pulled back on the sidestick to arrest the descent rate; but we made firm contact with the runway; I immediately called for and started executing a go-around. We were vectored back around by ATC. After we set up for the approach again; the Captain called the flight attendants and made a PA to the passengers. I flew another approach; flaps 3; and landed without any issues. The Captain made a logbook entry for hard landing. I hadn't flown in a month prior to this trip; so recency of experience; Thermal activity on final; along with optical illusion on this runway in ZZZ all contributed.
Second reporter narrative
Normal approach to ZZZ on the ZZZZZ RNAV arrival. We did get close to traffic in front of us for the visual; however; slowed to final approach speed with flaps full. Stable at 1000' and 500'. Approaching landing flare the PF (FO) did not begin to arrest to descent. I verbally mentioned to pitch 3 times. The flare was not completed and we made a hard landing with a bounce. Once we bounced; we then preceded to perform a go around from the bounce. On downwind; I called the first Flight Attendant to confirm that everyone was OK and and that we had a hard landing and are returning to land. The Flight Attendant asked me to make an announcement to the passengers. I did make an announcement to the passengers letting them know we aborted the landing and that we are returning to land in approximately 5 minutes. We completed the go around complied with ATC and maintained a visual approach to landing on the same Runway XXL successfully. Taxi as normal to gate. Once at gate; I put in the logbook that we had a hard landing and also that a ceiling panel had dropped down and needed put back up. Cause: I believe the inexperience of the First Officer was the overall factor in this situation. The First Officer is on probation and has less than 150 hours in aircraft I believe. As a crew; we should have been more thorough with the arrival brief regarding higher than normal altitude (2000') and the heat thermals that happen on short final to flare. Also; that ATC will tend to ask for and give a visual approach to aircraft very far out. Which in turn can leave the aircraft higher and faster than normally is regular for an approach.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.