What's Happening?
Aer Lingus has implemented enhanced simulator training for go-arounds near the ground and increased tail-strike awareness following an incident involving an Airbus A321LR. The aircraft experienced a tail-strike during landing at Washington Dulles Airport due to a sudden pitch-up input by the first officer after a bounced landing. The incident occurred in gusting wind conditions, causing the aircraft to deviate from its glideslope. The first officer's rapid sidestick movement during the flare reduced the descent rate, but a subsequent pitch-up input exceeded the tail-strike threshold, resulting in the aft fuselage contacting the runway. Despite minor injuries to two cabin crew members, none of the 151 occupants were seriously injured. Airbus plans to improve system logic for spoiler compensation by mid-2028.
AD
Why It's Important?
The incident highlights the importance of pilot training and aircraft system improvements to prevent similar occurrences. Enhanced simulator training aims to better prepare pilots for challenging landing conditions, potentially reducing the risk of tail-strikes and associated damage. The planned improvements by Airbus to the spoiler compensation system could further enhance safety by providing more reliable automatic commands during landing. These measures are crucial for maintaining passenger safety and confidence in air travel, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
What's Next?
Aer Lingus will continue to focus on improving pilot training and awareness to prevent future incidents. Airbus's planned system logic improvements for spoiler compensation are expected to be implemented by mid-2028, potentially enhancing aircraft safety during landings. The aviation industry may also review and update training protocols and aircraft systems to address similar safety concerns.
