A Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 experienced a tail strike during an aborted landing at Hong Kong International Airport on July 3, 2024 [1, 4].
The incident highlights the risks associated with executing go-around maneuvers during adverse weather conditions, which can lead to structural contact with the runway.
The aircraft, operating as flight CX509 [3], was traveling from Tokyo to Hong Kong when the event occurred. According to a preliminary report released on July 5, 2024 [1], the flight crew executed a go-around due to adverse weather conditions. During this maneuver, the tail of the aircraft contacted the runway surface [1].
Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority said the event was an "abnormal runway contact" [1]. The classification describes a scenario where the aircraft's fuselage or tail makes unplanned contact with the ground during takeoff or landing phases.
There were 203 passengers [1] and 12 crew members [2] on board the aircraft at the time of the strike. The investigation into the specific flight dynamics and the extent of the structural damage is ongoing as authorities review the preliminary data.
Tail strikes often occur when the aircraft's pitch angle is too high during rotation or when the nose is raised too sharply during a go-around. Such events require rigorous safety inspections to ensure the airworthiness of the fuselage before the aircraft can return to service.
“The aircraft's tail contacted the runway surface during a go-around.”
The classification of this incident as an 'abnormal runway contact' suggests that while the aircraft hit the runway, the event was a result of operational maneuvers under stress rather than a mechanical failure. For the aviation industry, these incidents emphasize the critical nature of pitch control during aborted landings, particularly in the challenging weather patterns often seen in Hong Kong.
