Mahan Air Avro RJ-100 Suffers Hard Landing and Tail Strike at Kerman Airport

On 18th July 2024, a Mahan Air Avro RJ-100, registration EP-MOG, performing flight W5-1055 from Tehran Mehrabad to Kerman (Iran), with 66 passengers and crew on board, experienced a hard landing and tail strike during its final approach to Kerman Airport. Although the incident resulted in a tail strike, no injuries were reported. The technical causes of the landing are currently under investigation by aviation authorities.

Flight and Incident Details:

• Unstable Approach and Go-Around: The incident occurred during the aircraft’s initial approach to Kerman. As the aircraft neared the runway, the flight crew identified that the approach was becoming unstable. This instability could have been caused by a variety of factors, including fluctuations in speed, alignment issues, or external conditions such as wind gusts. Recognising the risk of continuing with the approach, the crew initiated a go-around to re-position the aircraft for another attempt at landing. Go-arounds are a standard safety procedure used by pilots when they deem an approach unsafe or not within acceptable parameters for a smooth landing.
• Second Approach and Hard Landing: After the go-around, the aircraft circled for approximately 13 minutes before attempting a second approach. While the second approach was stabilised enough for the aircraft to make a landing, the touchdown itself was considerably harder than standard. As the aircraft hit the runway with greater force than usual, the tail of the Avro RJ-100 struck the surface, resulting in a tail strike. The tail strike occurs when the rear section of the aircraft, particularly the aft fuselage or tail skid, makes unintended contact with the runway. In this case, it is likely that the aircraft’s nose was pitched up too sharply during the landing, causing the tail to make contact with the ground.

Aftermath and Immediate Response:

• No Injuries: Fortunately, despite the hard landing and tail strike, no injuries were reported among the 66 people on board, including both passengers and crew members. Kerman Airport officials classified the incident as an “unconventional landing,” but confirmed that all individuals disembarked from the aircraft safely.
• Aircraft Condition: There was no immediate or visible damage to the structural integrity of the aircraft beyond the tail strike. However, tail strikes can cause damage to the fuselage and structural components, necessitating detailed inspections before the aircraft can be returned to service. Mahan Air, along with relevant authorities, will likely carry out an in-depth inspection to ensure that the aircraft is airworthy before it resumes operations.

Investigation and Preliminary Findings:

• Preliminary Results: Following the incident, a preliminary investigation was launched to determine the underlying causes of the hard landing and tail strike. Initial reports confirm that a tail strike did indeed occur, along with a hard landing. The focus of the investigation is now on understanding the factors that contributed to the unstable approach, which led to the go-around, and what went wrong during the second landing attempt.
• Potential Contributing Factors: Several factors may have contributed to the unstable approach and the hard landing. Environmental conditions, such as weather, wind shear, or turbulence, could have played a role, affecting the aircraft’s descent and stability. Additionally, operational factors such as pilot decision-making, aircraft configuration during the landing phase, or mechanical issues with the flight control systems are also being considered. The investigation will review flight data from the aircraft’s flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to better understand the sequence of events leading up to the tail strike.
• Tail Strikes and Their Impact: Tail strikes, while relatively rare, can cause significant damage to an aircraft’s rear fuselage and tail structure. The Avro RJ-100 is equipped with a tail skid, a protective feature designed to absorb the impact of minor tail strikes, but even with this protection, tail strikes require careful inspection. A severe tail strike can compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft, leading to expensive repairs and potential downtime for maintenance. In this case, the extent of the damage is yet to be fully determined, but it is likely that the aircraft will remain grounded while Mahan Air conducts a thorough assessment of its condition.

Operational and Safety Implications:

• Unstable Approaches and Go-Arounds: This incident underscores the importance of executing stable approaches during the landing phase of flight. A stable approach, where the aircraft maintains the correct speed, descent rate, and alignment, is essential for ensuring a smooth and safe landing. When an approach becomes unstable, as was the case during this flight, a go-around is often the safest option. Go-arounds, while routine, do involve additional risk, as they require the aircraft to manoeuvre at low altitude and enter holding patterns before attempting a second approach. In this case, while the decision to go around was correct, the second approach resulted in a hard landing, highlighting the challenges pilots can face when re-positioning for another attempt in possibly challenging conditions.
• Investigation Focus: The investigation will likely focus on the specific circumstances that led to the hard landing, as well as the operational decisions made by the crew. Factors such as the aircraft’s speed during the final approach, the rate of descent, and the angle of attack during landing will be scrutinised. Additionally, investigators will examine whether any external factors, such as wind conditions or mechanical issues, may have contributed to the hard landing.
• Lessons for Future Operations: While the investigation is still ongoing, incidents like this serve as important case studies for improving aviation safety. Tail strikes are preventable with careful approach management and precise control during landing. The results of this investigation may lead to further training for pilots on how to handle unstable approaches and avoid tail strikes in the future, as well as possible updates to aircraft landing protocols.

Conclusion:

The hard landing and tail strike involving Mahan Air’s Avro RJ-100 at Kerman Airport is a reminder of the challenges associated with maintaining stable approaches and executing safe landings, particularly when environmental or operational factors complicate the process. While no injuries occurred, the incident will undergo a thorough investigation to determine the exact causes and to identify any potential improvements in flight safety procedures. The prompt response of the flight crew ensured the safe conclusion of the flight, despite the unconventional landing, and investigations will likely provide valuable insights into preventing similar incidents in the future.