Narrative:
American Airlines flight 2341, a Boeing 757, N193AN, experienced a tailstrike during landing on runway 26L at the McCarran International Airport (KLAS), Las Vegas, Nevada. There were no injuries to the 127 passengers and crew, and the
airplane was substantially damaged.
According to the flight crew, the flight was cleared for a visual approach. The flight crew reported that the winds were from 040 degrees at 8 knots (slight tailwind), visibility greater than ten miles, and a thin layer of broken clouds at 17,000 feet.
The captain conducted an approach briefing and the first officer conducted a Landing Distance Assessment to account for the slight tailwind. The first officer reported the approach was normal and stabilized, and they encountered a slight downdraft in the flare. The captain disconnected the autopilot at about 400 feet above the ground and the autothrottle at 200 feet. Flight data recorder data indicated that the pitch attitude was about 7 degrees at touchdown but, as the ground spoilers deployed, pitch attitude increased to 10.9 degrees. There was a 3 to 5 knot crosswind at touchdown.
Post-flight inspection of the airplane indicated the underside of the rear fuselage struck the runway, resulting in damage to the skin, frames, and aft pressure bulkhead.
Probable Cause: The excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.
Runway mishap
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 21 March 2020 |
| Time: | 00:38 |
| Type: |  Boeing 757-223 (WL) |
| Operator: | American Airlines |
| Registration: | N193AN |
| MSN: | 32387/981 |
| First flight: | 2001 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 64323 |
| Engines: | 2 Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4B |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 121 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 127 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Location: | Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport, NV (LAS) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America |
| Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport, NV (LAS/KLAS), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | AA2341 |
American Airlines flight 2341, a Boeing 757, N193AN, experienced a tailstrike during landing on runway 26L at the McCarran International Airport (KLAS), Las Vegas, Nevada. There were no injuries to the 127 passengers and crew, and the
airplane was substantially damaged.
According to the flight crew, the flight was cleared for a visual approach. The flight crew reported that the winds were from 040 degrees at 8 knots (slight tailwind), visibility greater than ten miles, and a thin layer of broken clouds at 17,000 feet.
The captain conducted an approach briefing and the first officer conducted a Landing Distance Assessment to account for the slight tailwind. The first officer reported the approach was normal and stabilized, and they encountered a slight downdraft in the flare. The captain disconnected the autopilot at about 400 feet above the ground and the autothrottle at 200 feet. Flight data recorder data indicated that the pitch attitude was about 7 degrees at touchdown but, as the ground spoilers deployed, pitch attitude increased to 10.9 degrees. There was a 3 to 5 knot crosswind at touchdown.
Post-flight inspection of the airplane indicated the underside of the rear fuselage struck the runway, resulting in damage to the skin, frames, and aft pressure bulkhead.
Probable Cause:
Probable Cause: The excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.
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 Miami International Airport, FL to Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport, NV as the crow flies is 3473 km (2170 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport, NV as the crow flies is 3473 km (2170 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
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.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation