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NTSB Report

December 15, 1997 · Airbus Industrie A-300-600 · N90070

Montego Bay, JM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 15, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (246 uninjured)
Location
Montego Bay, JM
Aircraft
Airbus Industrie A-300-600
Tail Number
N90070
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ATL98IA024

According to the flying pilot, the existing wind information was different from the planned wind information, resulting in a 'circle to land' approach on runway 25. The downwind leg and turn to final were normal with the airplane on speed, and 'in the slot'. As per the final approach checklist the pilot armed the spoilers for deployment on main wheel touchdown. Upon touchdown the airplane bounced and the pilot said he increased the pitch attitude of the airplane to soften the second touchdown. On the second touchdown, a flight attendant heard a loud bang in the aft section of the airplane. Post flight inspection revealed damage to the tail skid area on the underside of the airplane. According to the flight manual, the deployment of the ground spoilers induces a 2 degree pitch up and increases the sink rate of the aircraft, therefore contributing to the higher pitch angle that can result in tail strikes. In the American Airlines A300 operating manual under touchdown, it states that 'no attempt should be made to hold the airplane off by further increase in attitude.' According to the flight data recorder the pitch attitude reached a maximum of 11.78 degrees which occurred when the airplane touched down for the second time. The tail strike pitch attitude is 11.4 degrees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, compounded by the automatic deployment of the ground spoilers on main wheel spin-up, resulting in a pitch angle beyond the tail strike pitch angle of the airplane, which led to the tail contacting the runway.

Full Narrative

On December 15, 1997, about 1526 eastern standard time, an Airbus A300-600, N90070, experienced an over-rotation during landing at the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The airplane was operated by American Airlines as Flight 645, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121, and instrument flight rules. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The Airline Transport Pilot, Co-pilot, 9 flight attendants and 235 passengers were not injured, and the airplane sustained minor damage. The flight originated at the John F Kennedy airport, New York, New York at 1041. In accordance with the International Standards and Recommended Practices of ICAO Annex 13, paragraph 5.1, the state of occurrence, Montego Bay, Jamaica, in a letter dated December 18, 1997, delegated the accident investigation to the state of registry/operator, the United States of America, and the NTSB is responsible for the investigation and report. According to the flying pilot, the existing wind information was different from the planned wind information, resulting in a "circle to land" approach on runway 25. The downwind leg and turn to final were normal with the airplane in the proper configuration, on speed, and "in the slot". As per the final approach checklist the pilot armed the spoilers for deployment on main wheel touchdown. Upon touchdown the airplane bounced and the pilot said he increased the pitch attitude of the airplane to soften the second touchdown. On the second touchdown, a flight attendant heard a loud bang in the aft section of the airplane. Post flight inspection revealed damage to the tail skid area on the underside of the airplane. According to the flight manual, the deployment of the ground spoilers induces a 2 degree pitch up and increases the sink rate of the aircraft, therefore contributing to the higher pitch angle that can result in tail strikes. In the American Airlines A300 operating manual under touchdown, it states that "no attempt should be made to hold the airplane off by further increase in attitude." According to the flight data recorder the pitch attitude reached a maximum of 11.78 degrees which occurred when the airplane touched down for the second time. The tail strike pitch attitude for the A300-600 is 11.4 degrees.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time20:26 UTC
Nearest AirportSangster International (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length8400 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirbus Industrie A-300-600
Tail NumberN90070
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-80C2A5 · Turbofan · 57000
Seats267

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (246 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured246
Total246
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 12 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data