Porter Airlines Dash 8 Suffers Tail Strike During Landing at Fredericton

Fredericton, NB, Canada – On June 28th, 2024, a Porter Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration C-GLQP, experienced a tail strike while landing at Fredericton International Airport. The aircraft, operating flight PD-2375 from Ottawa, Ontario, struck its tail on the runway during the landing on runway 27 at approximately 14:00 local time (17:00 UTC).

Incident Overview

As the aircraft was on final approach to Fredericton’s runway 27, the crew inadvertently caused the tail of the Dash 8-400 to contact the runway surface during the landing phase. Recognizing the tail strike, the flight crew promptly initiated a go-around, climbing to 2,000 feet before re-positioning the aircraft for another approach. The aircraft successfully landed without further incident about eight minutes later.

Following the landing, the flight crew informed Porter Airlines’ operations of the tail strike. The aircraft was inspected by ground personnel, who discovered substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage near the rear cargo door. As a result, the aircraft was grounded in Fredericton for further inspection and repairs.

Investigation and Preliminary Findings

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) was notified of the incident and deployed two investigators to the scene. The TSB’s preliminary report indicated that during the approach and landing phase, the aircraft experienced a tail strike severe enough to illuminate the touch runway sensor. The crew’s immediate response to execute a go-around likely prevented further damage or a more severe incident.

The TSB’s investigation will focus on understanding the factors that contributed to the tail strike, including the aircraft’s approach angle, landing technique, and any potential environmental conditions that may have played a role. The examination of the damage to the aircraft’s fuselage will also be critical in determining the full impact of the tail strike.

Aircraft and Operational Impact

The incident has resulted in the grounding of the aircraft in Fredericton, with the aircraft unable to continue its scheduled operations as of July 10th, 2024. The extent of the damage to the aircraft’s fuselage will dictate the duration of repairs and the timeline for the aircraft’s return to service.

Tail strikes, while not uncommon, can result in significant damage to an aircraft’s structure, particularly in the area near the rear cargo door and pressure bulkhead. The severity of this incident underscores the importance of proper landing techniques, particularly in managing pitch control during touchdown.

Conclusion

The tail strike incident involving Porter Airlines flight PD-2375 on June 28th, 2024, highlights the challenges associated with landing procedures, especially in regional aircraft like the Dash 8-400. The quick actions of the flight crew to perform a go-around after recognizing the tail strike were crucial in ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew.

The ongoing investigation by the TSB will provide further insights into the causes of the tail strike and may lead to recommendations aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future. For now, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining vigilance and precision during all phases of flight, particularly during landing.