Cathay Pacific's A350-1000 aircraft was recently grounded after a tail strike incident during a missed approach at Hong Kong International Airport. The aircraft, en route from Ho Chi Minh City, entered a go-around after an unstable landing attempt and later landed safely on its second approach without any injuries. This incident has led to a four-day grounding for engineering inspection and repairs, prompting a thorough operational review and a renewed focus on tail-strike prevention technology and pilot training.
Tail strikes occur when the rear of an aircraft contacts the runway due to excessive nose-up pitch during takeoff or landing. In this case, the Airbus A350-1000 approached Runway 07C at Hong Kong International Airport and began veering left during the final approach phase. The flight crew's quick response to initiate a go-around prevented a more severe incident, and the aircraft safely climbed to 6,000 feet before circling for a second approach.
Despite the tail strike, the aircraft landed safely 34 minutes behind schedule, just before midnight local time. The four-year-old aircraft has not operated any commercial flights since the incident. The airline is currently conducting structural inspections and repairs, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Tail strikes are more common during landing than takeoff, with Airbus data showing 65% of incidents occurring during landing and 25% during takeoff. To mitigate this risk, Airbus incorporates pitch-limit cues and audible warnings on the Primary Flight Display below 400 feet. Boeing's Tail-Strike Protection system, introduced on the 777-300ER in 2003, automatically adjusts the elevator during takeoff when excessive rotation rates are detected.
Go-arounds require precise aircraft handling, as pilots must apply TOGA thrust and pitch-up input simultaneously. Autopilot and autothrust systems then work together to provide a burst of power for a safe climb, but pilots must carefully modulate power and control inputs to prevent over-rotation and structural damage.
Commercial pilots undergo regular simulator assessments every six months to practice manual aircraft handling and response to non-routine situations. These sessions include scenarios such as engine failures, rejected takeoffs, unstable approaches, and go-around execution, ensuring pilots are well-prepared for abnormal situations. During aircraft certification, manufacturers conduct controlled tail-strike tests to determine the Minimum Unstick Speed (Vmu), which is a critical flight-performance reference.
