Date:	Thursday 15 June 2023
Time:	14:07
Type:	Airbus A321-251NX
Owner/operator:	IndiGo Airlines
Registration:	VT-IMW
MSN:	10882
Year of manufacture:	2022
Total airframe hrs:	2389 hours
Engine model:	CFMI CFM LEAP-1A32
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 222
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Minor
Category:	Incident
Location:	Ahmedabad-Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD/VAAH) -   India
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	Bengaluru (Bangalore) International Airport (BLR/VOBL)
Destination airport:	Ahmedabad-Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD/VAAH)
Investigating agency:	DGCA India
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
IndiGo Airlines flight 6E6595, an Airbus A321-251NX, suffered a tailstrike on landing at Ahmedabad International Airport (AMD/VAAH).

The take-off from Bengaluru was performed by the PIC & the flight from take-off till top of descent was uneventful. During descent the PIC, who was the PF carried out briefing for the planned arrival to Ahmedabad via APANO 1A arrival ILS approach RWY 23 based on ATC clearance. A Flap 3/CONF 3 approach was decided after discussion among the cockpit crew which also included the Go-around plan. The briefing was carried out for an ILS Z approach RWY23 with CONF 3. The aircraft was configured for the planned configuration of CONF 3 and was stabilised for the approach. Runway in use at the time of approach was ILS RWY23.
During the approach the crew observed weather approaching from the North West and they informed the ATC of the approaching weather. During approach strong winds of the order of 30-35 kt were experienced during final turn and approach. On finals ATC reported wind gusts up to 20 to 25 kt. PIC reported that visibility was good but approach was ‘bumpy’ due winds; as the aircraft was Auto land current he decided to carry out auto land. During the ILS approach
the PIC informed TWR that they were carrying out a ‘Practice AUTOLAND’. Decision to perform an Autoland was made by the PF(PIC)during the final approach segment.
After flare-out, the landing was perceived as ‘hard’ by the crew. Auto pilot was disconnected post landing during landing roll. On reaching bay and switching off engines, an AME observed the tail strike and informed the crew.


Probable cause:
The probable cause of the incident was the aircraft speed reduction to the extent of VLS-15kt, the low energy state of the aircraft resulted in an increase of pitch beyond limits during the autoland and the ensuing contact of the aircraft tail section with ground during touchdown.
The following factors led to the incident:
- Non-adherence to SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) during FMS configuration and during activation of the Secondary Flight Plan, i.e., FMS active and secondary FLPNs mishandling.
- Flaps CONF 3 selection made during approach against a planned approach with CONFIG FULL in the FMS performance page, leading to a lower target speed computation.
- PIC’s non-compliance with the SOP for an Auto Land, including wind limitations and flight crew qualifications.
- Lack of effective CRM between the operating crew members.

VAAH 150830Z 19020G30KT 4000 DRDU SCT018 SCT025 34/23 Q1001 TEMPO 3000 RA=
[Winds 190° 20kt Gust 30kt, Visibility 4000m, Weather Low Drifting Dust, Cloud: Scattered at 1800ft and 2500ft, Temperature 34 °C Dew point 23 °C, QNH 1001hPa, QFE 0995 hPa. TEMPO Visibility 3000m in Rain]

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vt-imw#30b96ba6
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indigo-aircraft-suffers-tail-strike-while-landing-at-ahmedabad-airport-101686837515777.html

Said to be of the @IndiGo6E that had a tail strike today. Looks awful.@DGCAIndia @AviationSafety pic.twitter.com/A8sY48nl4I

— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) June 15, 2023

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
15-Jun-2023 18:23	harro	Added
15-Jun-2023 18:24	harro	Updated
16-Jun-2023 16:13	Bandit	Updated
04-Jul-2025 13:54	ASN	Updated [Total occupants, Narrative, Accident report, ]