Narrative:
The crew had flown the backcourse approach to runway 06 at Halifax International Airport, establishing visual reference at limits. There was a 300 ft overcast, 1-1/2 mile visibility in light freezing drizzle and fog, winds from 110 degrees at 6 kt. During the touchdown a tail strike occurred causing considerable damage to the belly and tail skid. The manufacturer reports that this is the first confirmed case of significant damage to this type as the result of a tail strike. The CofG was near the forward limit.
Causes:
The tail strike occurred because the crew responded to a visual illusion with an unwarranted power reduction between the minimum descent altitude and touchdown. The upslope illusion led both crew members to believe the aircraft was higher than it actually was, and the crew did not respond to visual cues from the precision approach path indicator, which showed the aircraft to be too low. Contributing to the accident were the captain's preoccupation with stopping on the slippery runway, and some loss of aircraft performance below 400 feet agl. Also contributing were the lateral navigation/vertical navigation procedures in use, and a higher than normal aircraft body angle, which was induced by a lower than normal approach speed and the aircraft's
forward centre of gravity.
Runway mishap
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 8 March 1996 |
| Time: | 19:42 |
| Type: |  Boeing 767-375ER |
| Operator: | Canadian Airlines International |
| Registration: | C-FOCA |
| MSN: | 24575/311 |
| First flight: | 1990-05-31 (5 years 9 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 25213 |
| Engines: | 2 General Electric CF6-80C2B6F |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 91 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 100 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Halifax International Airport, NS (YHZ) ( Canada)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Int'l Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Toronto-Pearson International Airport, ON (YYZ/CYYZ), Canada |
| Halifax International Airport, NS (YHZ/CYHZ), Canada | |
| Flightnumber: | 48 |
The crew had flown the backcourse approach to runway 06 at Halifax International Airport, establishing visual reference at limits. There was a 300 ft overcast, 1-1/2 mile visibility in light freezing drizzle and fog, winds from 110 degrees at 6 kt. During the touchdown a tail strike occurred causing considerable damage to the belly and tail skid. The manufacturer reports that this is the first confirmed case of significant damage to this type as the result of a tail strike. The CofG was near the forward limit.
Probable Cause:
Causes:
The tail strike occurred because the crew responded to a visual illusion with an unwarranted power reduction between the minimum descent altitude and touchdown. The upslope illusion led both crew members to believe the aircraft was higher than it actually was, and the crew did not respond to visual cues from the precision approach path indicator, which showed the aircraft to be too low. Contributing to the accident were the captain's preoccupation with stopping on the slippery runway, and some loss of aircraft performance below 400 feet agl. Also contributing were the lateral navigation/vertical navigation procedures in use, and a higher than normal aircraft body angle, which was induced by a lower than normal approach speed and the aircraft's
forward centre of gravity.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
TailstrikeRunway mishap
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Toronto-Pearson International Airport, ON to Halifax International Airport, NS as the crow flies is 1279 km (800 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Toronto-Pearson International Airport, ON to Halifax International Airport, NS as the crow flies is 1279 km (800 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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