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NTSB Report

September 16, 2014 · Boeing 757 223 223 · N654A

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (172 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Boeing 757 223 223 (1991)
Tail Number
N654A
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA14CA161

On September 15, 2014, at about 2027 eastern daylight time, American Airlines flight 2404, a B757-200, N654A, experienced a tail strike during landing at Miami International Airport (KMIA), Miami, Florida. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead and there were no injuries to the 172 passengers and crew onboard. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (KSJU), San Juan, Puerto Rico to KMIA. According to the operator, the first officer (FO) was the pilot flying and the captain was the pilot monitoring and was initial operating experience (IOE) training for the FO. The flight crew reported that they had the ILS tuned and the approach was stabilized. They reported that the main gear touchdown was smooth but that the nose came up rapidly before the captain could make the "deployed" call for the spoilers. The captain reportedly quickly grabbed the yoke and lowered the nose to the ground. Postflight maintenance inspection found damage to the aft fuselage skin and substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the first officer to control the airplane pitch after touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the first officers inexperience in the aircraft type.

Full Narrative

On September 15, 2014, at about 2027 eastern daylight time, American Airlines flight 2404, a B757-200, N654A, experienced a tail strike during landing at Miami International Airport (KMIA), Miami, Florida. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead and there were no injuries to the 172 passengers and crew onboard. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (KSJU), San Juan, Puerto Rico to KMIA. According to the operator, the first officer (FO) was the pilot flying and the captain was the pilot monitoring and was initial operating experience (IOE) training for the FO. The flight crew reported that they had the ILS tuned and the approach was stabilized. They reported that the main gear touchdown was smooth but that the nose came up rapidly before the captain could make the "deployed" call for the spoilers. The captain reportedly quickly grabbed the yoke and lowered the nose to the ground. Postflight maintenance inspection found damage to the aft fuselage skin and substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:27 EDT
Nearest AirportMiami Intl (0nm)
Runway09
Runway Length13016 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 757 223 223
Tail NumberN654A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls-Royc · RB.211 SERIES · Turbofan · 42500 | Rolls-Royc · RB.211 SERIES · Turbofan · 42500
Seats172

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (172 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured172
Total172
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 36 · First Class · None
Crew 3None
Crew 4None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind90° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.10 inHg

Appendix: Source Data