Despite encountering significant LLWS on very short final; the flight crew of a Dash 8 elected to land as the apparent severity of the encounter lessened. At touchdown a gust of wind struck the aircraft and raised the nose; activating the stick shaker. Before pitch control could be regained; the aircraft suffered a tail strike; requiring a ferry for maintenance attention.
Synopsis
Despite encountering significant LLWS on very short final; the flight crew of a Dash 8 elected to land as the apparent severity of the encounter lessened. At touchdown a gust of wind struck the aircraft and raised the nose; activating the stick shaker. Before pitch control could be regained; the aircraft suffered a tail strike; requiring a ferry for maintenance attention.
Narrative
During a landing in VMC on Runway XXR; the winds were 270/21G30 and Low Level Wind Shear (LLWS) was reported. Windshear was encountered at approximately 200 FT AGL; requiring roughly 40% torque to fly through. Approach was stabilized following that and the rest of the descent was turbulent but stable. The aircraft touched down at 5 degree pitch attitude and roughly Vref +5 KTS. At touchdown the stick-shaker activated and a gust of wind shook the aircraft. The nose pitched up to approximately 9 degrees. Pushing the control yoke had little effect on the nose for a few seconds; then finally it came down and the aircraft rolled-out on all three gears. At that time the 'TOUCHED RUNWAY' warning light illuminated. A tail-strike event was not sensed by the crew. Overall; the entire event felt rather gentle and the tail-strike was a surprise.We contacted Maintenance Control and; following an inspection; the aircraft was ferried to a maintenance base.I believe I should have been more ready for indications of gust effects on the aircraft during touchdown. Perhaps a faster and more dramatic response could have prevented damage.
Second reporter narrative
...pilot not flying should have been more proactive looking for uncontrolled aircraft pitch given the gusty wind conditions. More vigilance on behalf of the crew may have prevented aircraft damage.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.