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August 8, 2019 · Airbus A321 211 · N717FR

Orlando, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (232 uninjured)
Location
Orlando, FL
Aircraft
Airbus A321 211 (2017)
Tail Number
N717FR
Operator
Frontier Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA19LA193

The final approach was considered stabilized. At about 40 feet above ground level, a significant tailwind gust of about 25 knots was experienced, creating a loss of airspeed. The loss of airspeed resulted in a loss of lift at a low height and led to a hard touchdown. At about 10 feet above the runway (and before the hard touchdown) the flight crew set “TOGA” thrust for go-around and applied full back stick pressure resulting in a pitch increase to +9.2 degrees. The engines required time to spool up and the airplane lost altitude before it started to climb. The increase in pitch and delay in thrust caused the tailstrike, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The airplane was fitted with a tailstrike prevention option which appears on the primary flight director (PFD) when below 400 feet but deactivates when thrust levers are pushed to “TOGA”. Standard operating procedures for go-arounds near the ground inform flight crews to avoid an excessive rotation rate to prevent tailstrikes.

NTSB Probable Cause

Encountering gusty conditions at a low altitude during landing and the crew’s decision to do a go-around at a low altitude with an excessive rotation rate.

Full Narrative

The final approach was considered stabilized. At about 40 feet above ground level, a significant tailwind gust of about 25 knots was experienced, creating a loss of airspeed. The loss of airspeed resulted in a loss of lift at a low height and led to a hard touchdown. At about 10 feet above the runway (and before the hard touchdown) the flight crew set “TOGA” thrust for go-around and applied full back stick pressure resulting in a pitch increase to +9.2 degrees. The engines required time to spool up and the airplane lost altitude before it started to climb. The increase in pitch and delay in thrust caused the tailstrike, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The airplane was fitted with a tailstrike prevention option which appears on the primary flight director (PFD) when below 400 feet but deactivates when thrust levers are pushed to “TOGA”. Standard operating procedures for go-arounds near the ground inform flight crews to avoid an excessive rotation rate to prevent tailstrikes.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportOrlando International Airport (1nm)
Runway18L
Runway Length12005 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirbus A321 211
Tail NumberN717FR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFrontier Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm Intl · CFM56-5B3/3 | Cfm Intl · CFM56-5B3/3 | Ge · CFM56-5B3/3B1 · Turbofan
Seats228

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (232 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured232
Total232
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 45 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindGusting 31 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data