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September 23, 2021 · Airbus A321-271N · N208HA

Honolulu, HI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (134 uninjured)
Location
Honolulu, HI
Aircraft
Airbus A321-271N (2018)
Tail Number
N208HA
Operator
Hawaiian Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA22LA004

According to the operator, the captain was the pilot flying, and the first officer was the pilot monitoring for the flight from the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), San Jose, California to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, Hawaii. The taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, and descent phases of the flight were uneventful. The crew was vectored for the ILS approach to runway 4R at HNL. The ILS approach was uneventful with the crew achieving all of Hawaiian Airlines stabilized approach criteria at both the 1000 ft and 500 ft AGL. The approach remained uneventful until the flare was initiated at approximately 25 feet AGL. Winds were reported to be approximately 11 kts with gusting up to 18 kts. At this point the captain reported that he felt the aircraft had an accelerated sink rate. To arrest the sink rate, he initiated a slight increase in pitch angle. He then heard an automated audible pitch alert generated by the aircraft and then felt a firm bounce of the aircraft upon initial touchdown. The crew initiated a go-around and had an uneventful approach and landing on runway 04R. Following the landing the crew completed an uneventful taxi and shutdown at the gate. The tailstrike resulted in abrasion damage over an area of about 14 feet long by 2 feet wide along the aft lower fuselage. There also were several fractures to the internal cargo lining support structure and to at least one frame.

NTSB Probable Cause

The captain’s improper landing flare, which resulted in an excessive sink rate and subsequent hard landing.

Full Narrative

According to the operator, the captain was the pilot flying, and the first officer was the pilot monitoring for the flight from the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), San Jose, California to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, Hawaii. The taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, and descent phases of the flight were uneventful. The crew was vectored for the ILS approach to runway 4R at HNL. The ILS approach was uneventful with the crew achieving all of Hawaiian Airlines stabilized approach criteria at both the 1000 ft and 500 ft AGL. The approach remained uneventful until the flare was initiated at approximately 25 feet AGL. Winds were reported to be approximately 11 kts with gusting up to 18 kts. At this point the captain reported that he felt the aircraft had an accelerated sink rate. To arrest the sink rate, he initiated a slight increase in pitch angle. He then heard an automated audible pitch alert generated by the aircraft and then felt a firm bounce of the aircraft upon initial touchdown. The crew initiated a go-around and had an uneventful approach and landing on runway 04R. Following the landing the crew completed an uneventful taxi and shutdown at the gate. The tailstrike resulted in abrasion damage over an area of about 14 feet long by 2 feet wide along the aft lower fuselage. There also were several fractures to the internal cargo lining support structure and to at least one frame.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:44 HST
Nearest AirportDaniel K. Inouye International (0nm)
Runway04R
Runway Length9002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirbus A321-271N
Tail NumberN208HA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHawaiian Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsIae · PW1133G-JM · Turbofan · 33110 | Iae · PW1133G-JM · Turbofan · 33110
Seats200

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (134 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured134
Total134
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 37 · First Class · None
Crew 3None
Crew 4None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 11 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time08:55

Appendix: Source Data