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Boeing 737 Tail Strike: Air India Express Flight 611 Incident
On October 12, 2018, Air India Express Flight 611, a Boeing 737-800, experienced a serious tail strike incident while landing at Calicut International Airport in India. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper landing procedures and the potential consequences of errors in judgment. This blog post will delve into the details of the incident, analyzing the contributing factors and the subsequent investigation.
The Incident
Flight 611 was operating a scheduled flight from Dubai to Calicut. The weather conditions at the time of landing were challenging, with heavy rainfall and limited visibility. The aircraft touched down on the runway, but the landing was not smooth. The aircraft bounced several times before finally coming to a stop. During the landing process, the tail of the aircraft struck the runway, causing significant damage.
Contributing Factors
Several factors contributed to the tail strike incident. These included:
- Inadequate Pilot Experience: The pilots were relatively inexperienced with landing in challenging weather conditions. The captain had limited experience with the Boeing 737-800, and the first officer was a trainee.
- Poor Decision-Making: The pilots opted to land despite the challenging weather conditions and the possibility of a tail strike. They failed to properly assess the situation and make a timely decision to go around.
- Runway Conditions: The runway at Calicut International Airport is known for its challenging approach and short runway length. The slippery conditions due to heavy rainfall further exacerbated the situation.
Investigation and Findings
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. The investigation revealed that the pilots had been warned about the potential for a tail strike during the approach. However, they failed to heed the warning and continued with the landing attempt. The investigation also found that the pilots had not received adequate training on landing procedures in challenging weather conditions.
Consequences and Lessons Learned
The tail strike incident resulted in significant damage to the aircraft and injuries to passengers. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. The incident highlighted the importance of pilot training, proper decision-making, and adherence to safety regulations. The incident also led to a review of the landing procedures at Calicut International Airport and the implementation of safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Conclusion
The Air India Express Flight 611 tail strike incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of errors in judgment and the importance of maintaining a culture of safety in aviation. It underscores the need for pilots to be adequately trained and experienced, to make sound decisions based on the available information, and to prioritize safety over expediency. The incident also highlights the need for airports to have appropriate safety measures in place to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.