Description

On 2 March 2013, an Airbus A310-300 (CS-TGU) being operated by SATA International on a scheduled passenger flight from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island in the Azores initially bounced during a night landing on runway 30 in normal ground visibility and a significant tail strike then followed which resulted in substantial structure damage. The aircraft remained on the paved surface and was able to be taxied to the gate there were no injuries to the 125 occupants. However, the aircraft sustained significant structural damage.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the GPIAA. It was found that as a result of the tail strike, the aircraft had sustained substantial structural damage which, in terms of ICAO Annex 13 (would have) "adversely affected the structural strength, performance and flight characteristics and required major repair and replacement of the affected components" and was beyond the level of repair covered by the Structural Repair Manual. After a temporary repair at Ponta Delgada, the aircraft was ferried out of service to Lisbon where permanent repairs were made.

The aircraft DFDR was successfully downloaded but the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) CB was not tripped following the event and the relevant recording was consequently overwritten. The DAR was downloaded by the Operator and analysed as part of their Flight Data Monitoring programme.

It was concluded that the prevailing weather conditions had been "within the applicable operating limitations" and noted that the tailwind component for the landing had been 7 knots (maximum 10 knots) and the crosswind component 15 knots.