Emirates A340 hits tail off runway on takeoff in Melbourne

kaimera

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7956541.stm

A spokesman for Melbourne airport told AFP news agency: "It took off very steeply, the tail touched the end of the runway, and it [the plane] went up, stabilised and came back

that actually happens?

ronnie3585

kaimera wrote: »

that actually happens?

Yea, tailstrikes are a pretty common occurrence. Incorrect loading of the aircraft, a strong gust upon rotation or just poor handling are some of the regular causes.

FlutterinBantam

Yep, happens relatively often.

Can be caused by over rotation.

Tail scrape is usually not catastrophic but can lead to very expensive repair.

Long fuselaged aircraft like the A340/B757/A321 are particularly susceptible.

Aircraft manufacturers build this possibility into their design processes.

Tenger

Indeed some aircraft have strengthened panels on the tail to absorb possible tailstrikes.

You should be able to find youtube footage of them deliberately tailstriking a A380 during the testing period.

Foggy43

Emirates have just grounded two of their A380's. They are being removed from the DXB JFK service and replaced by B777-300ER's.

May have a few extra days work for one of them now

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They're putting them on the Toronto and Bangkok route's instead.

Foggy43

Unfortunately they are being grounded till June and then do the BKK and YYZ service which are 3 day per week routes.
A bit of a worry considering Emirates ordered 58 A380's, I think.

ian_m

Tailstrike is an aviation term that describes an event in which the rear end of an aircraft touches (strikes) the runway. This can happen during takeoff of a fixed-wing aircraft if the pilot pulls up too rapidly, leading to the rear end of the fuselage touching the runway. It can also occur during landing if the pilot flares too aggressively. This is often the result of an attempt to land nearer to the runway threshold. Wiki

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdAQxyjfl6A

Tenger

Foggy43 wrote: »

Unfortunately they are being grounded till June and then do the BKK and YYZ service which are 3 day per week routes.

I had read elsewhere that they was a defect that needed to be rectified and this was the reason for them being withdrawn from service temporarily.

Foggy43

Yes! I have also heard the A380 is not having a good time technically. I know the guys who maintain Singapore and Qantas A380's at LHR. LRU's (Line Replacement Units) are costing the operators a fortune. Body Gear Steering is mentioned a lot. Weight on wheels perhaps?

Saying that, nothing yet to attract mass media attention. Hopefully never.

Tenger

Foggy43 wrote: »

Yes! I have also heard the A380 is not having a good time technically. ...............Body Gear Steering is mentioned a lot. Weight on wheels perhaps?

Saying that, nothing yet to attract mass media attention. Hopefully never.

Thats what I read too. There was a thread on 'nose gear problems' on airliners.net.

I am of the opinion that its still a new aircraft and it will take 1-2 years to get the kinks out maintainence wise.
As you said no media claims of grounding them yet!

risteard85

Foggy43 wrote: »

Emirates have just grounded two of their A380's. They are being removed from the DXB JFK service and replaced by B777-300ER's.

May have a few extra days work for one of them now

I just seen one in JFK yesterday morning??

pclancy

I read somewhere that Emirates crew had issues with sleeping in the crew rest areas because they were so much quieter then they were used to in the 747s meaning they could hear the pax more

wittymoniker

wags in emirates are calling the A380 the '180' due the number of times it breaks and has to turn around!

Foggy43

risteard85 wrote: »

I just seen one in JFK yesterday morning??

UAE will continue to fly the A380 DXB JFK DXB until May 30th provided operational requirements allow. Then they operate the BKK and YYZ services from DXB.

BarryM

Here -
http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2009/03/23/324184/pictures-engine-surge-appears-connected-with-emirates-tailscrape-take-off.html

is Flight Internationals blog post on the incident, seems there may have been an engine surge.... good photos.

donkey balls

It looks like both crew members that where flying the plane at the time have resigned from EK(or where they pushed?)

BarryM

donkey balls wrote: »

It looks like both crew members that where flying the plane at the time have resigned from EK(or where they pushed?)

Where did you see that? Flight I didn't have it, afaik.

Bye, Barry

donkey balls

Hi Barry,

The rumour about the EK crew being dismissed is on the link below.

EK407 - Tailstrike YMML 20 March

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It is on Flight Global.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/04/01/324648/pilots-resign-after-emirates-a340-500-accident.html