An Air India Airbus A321 suffered a tail strike while landing at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru this week [1].
Tail strikes occur when the rear fuselage of an aircraft contacts the runway, potentially causing structural damage that requires extensive inspections before the plane can fly again. Such incidents highlight the critical nature of landing precision and the stringent safety protocols required to return grounded aircraft to service.
The aircraft, operating as flight AI2651 [3], was traveling from Delhi to Bengaluru [1]. According to reports, the incident occurred on Thursday [1], though some sources cited Wednesday [3]. The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew [1].
Following the contact with the runway, the aircraft was grounded for technical evaluation [2]. A tail strike can range from a minor scratch to significant structural deformation, depending on the angle and speed of the impact. Because the aircraft is an Airbus A321 [3], technicians must verify that the pressure bulkhead and surrounding fuselage skin remain intact.
Air India and aviation authorities have not yet disclosed the specific cause of the strike [1]. Factors contributing to such events often include unstable approach paths, excessive flare, or sudden wind shear during the final descent. The airline has not provided a timeline for when the aircraft will be cleared for flight [2].
Kempegowda International Airport officials monitored the landing and ensured the aircraft was moved to a secure area for inspection [3]. The flight's arrival did not cause significant disruptions to other airport operations, as the aircraft was able to taxi under its own power after the event [2].
“The aircraft, operating as flight AI2651, was traveling from Delhi to Bengaluru.”
A tail strike necessitates a rigorous inspection process to ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft's rear section. While the lack of injuries indicates a controlled landing, the grounding of the Airbus A321 removes a narrow-body jet from the fleet until engineers can certify that no permanent deformation occurred in the fuselage, which is essential for maintaining cabin pressurization at high altitudes.
