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March 22, 2023 · Airbus A320-232 · N1902U

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 22, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (156 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Airbus A320-232 (2006)
Tail Number
N1902U
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA23LA221

United Airlines flight 1091 sustained a tailstrike while landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH), Houston, TX. The flight was a regularly scheduled international passenger flight from Mexico City, Mexico to KIAH. According to the flight crew, the captain was the pilot monitoring, and the first officer (FO) was the pilot flying when they were cleared for the visual approach to runway 27 at KIAH. The airplane was in the landing configuration and on a stabilized approach at 1,000 ft. above ground level (AGL). About 60 ft AGL the captain noticed the airspeed begin to decay and stated watch your speed. The FO subsequently pitched the nose of the airplane down and added a little thrust. About 30 ft AGL, due to a higher-than-normal rate of descent the captain commanded flare, flare, flare. The FO flared the airplane which resulted in a firm landing. As the airplane rebounded from the firm landing the spoilers deployed resulting in a nose high attitude. In an effort to correct for the nose high attitude, the captain and FO pushed forward on their respective sidesticks. The FO stated that the ground spoiler deployment coinciding with the firm touchdown resulted in an airplane nose-up pitch attitude. As a result, the pitch attitude increased until the tail struck the runway. After the tailstrike, the remainder of the landing and landing rollout were normal with no risk of runway overrun or excursion. The tailstrike resulted in abrasion damage over an area of about 19 feet long by 1 foot wide along the aft lower fuselage. An inspection revealed substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead and frames.

NTSB Probable Cause

The first officer's failure to maintain the correct airspeed and pitch attitude during landing which resulted in a tailstrike.

Full Narrative

United Airlines flight 1091 sustained a tailstrike while landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH), Houston, TX. The flight was a regularly scheduled international passenger flight from Mexico City, Mexico to KIAH. According to the flight crew, the captain was the pilot monitoring, and the first officer (FO) was the pilot flying when they were cleared for the visual approach to runway 27 at KIAH. The airplane was in the landing configuration and on a stabilized approach at 1,000 ft. above ground level (AGL). About 60 ft AGL the captain noticed the airspeed begin to decay and stated watch your speed. The FO subsequently pitched the nose of the airplane down and added a little thrust. About 30 ft AGL, due to a higher-than-normal rate of descent the captain commanded flare, flare, flare. The FO flared the airplane which resulted in a firm landing. As the airplane rebounded from the firm landing the spoilers deployed resulting in a nose high attitude. In an effort to correct for the nose high attitude, the captain and FO pushed forward on their respective sidesticks. The FO stated that the ground spoiler deployment coinciding with the firm touchdown resulted in an airplane nose-up pitch attitude. As a result, the pitch attitude increased until the tail struck the runway. After the tailstrike, the remainder of the landing and landing rollout were normal with no risk of runway overrun or excursion. The tailstrike resulted in abrasion damage over an area of about 19 feet long by 1 foot wide along the aft lower fuselage. An inspection revealed substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead and frames.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:26 CDT
Nearest AirportGeorge Bush Intcntl/Houston (0nm NE)
Runway27
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirbus A320-232
Tail NumberN1902U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsInternational Aero Engines · V2527-A5 · Turbofan · 26500 | International Aero Enignes · V2527-A5 · Turbofan · 26500
Seats200

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (156 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured156
Total156
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 13 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data