AAIU Report Reveals Cause of Tail Strike on Turkish Airbus at Dublin Airport
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has released a report detailing the circumstances surrounding a tail strike incident involving a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 at Dublin Airport. The incident occurred during a go-around maneuver, with the report identifying over-rotation as the primary cause.
Incident Overview
On the day of the incident, the aircraft, operating a scheduled passenger flight, was approaching Dublin Airport when the crew initiated a go-around. During this procedure, the aircraft's pitch angle exceeded safe limits, resulting in the tail striking the runway. The tail strike caused significant damage to the aircraft's rear structure.
The AAIU report highlights that the go-around was prompted by an unstable approach. The flight crew, in an effort to execute the missed approach, applied excessive nose-up elevator input, leading to an over-rotation. The aircraft's tail then contacted the runway surface, causing structural damage.
Investigation Findings
The investigation focused on several factors, including crew coordination, training, and procedures. The report noted that the crew did not adequately monitor the pitch attitude during the go-around, and there was a lack of effective communication between the pilots. Additionally, the airline's training on go-around procedures was found to be insufficient in addressing the risks of over-rotation.
Key findings from the AAIU report include:
- The go-around was initiated at a low altitude, leaving minimal margin for error.
- The pilot flying applied excessive back pressure on the control column, causing the aircraft to pitch up rapidly.
- The pilot monitoring did not call out the excessive pitch rate or intervene in a timely manner.
- The aircraft's tail strike protection system was not activated due to the specific flight conditions.
Safety Recommendations
In response to the incident, the AAIU issued several safety recommendations to prevent similar occurrences. These include:
- Enhanced training for flight crews on go-around procedures, emphasizing the importance of pitch attitude monitoring.
- Improved crew resource management training to foster better communication and coordination during critical phases of flight.
- Review of standard operating procedures for go-arounds to include specific guidance on avoiding over-rotation.
- Consideration of technological enhancements, such as visual or aural alerts for excessive pitch rates during go-arounds.
The report also recommended that Turkish Airlines review its training programs and ensure that pilots are adequately prepared for go-around scenarios. The airline has since implemented additional training measures and revised its procedures to address the identified issues.
Conclusion
The AAIU report underscores the critical importance of proper technique and crew coordination during go-around maneuvers. The incident serves as a reminder for airlines and regulatory bodies to continually assess and improve training and procedures to enhance flight safety. The aircraft involved in the incident has since been repaired and returned to service after undergoing extensive inspections and repairs.
