A Kalitta Air cargo plane scraped its tail on a runway in Kentucky on Sunday, July 19, 2026 [1], sending sparks flying during a landing attempt [2].
The incident highlights potential safety risks during the landing phase of heavy aircraft operations. While no injuries occurred [4], the event triggered an immediate federal safety review to determine the cause of the tail strike.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER [3], was operating at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport [5]. Video of the event shows the rear of the plane making contact with the pavement, creating a visible shower of sparks as the aircraft skidded [2].
Following the initial contact, the pilots performed a go-around. The aircraft eventually landed safely after the maneuver [2]. No injuries were reported among the crew or ground personnel [4].
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident [6]. Investigators will analyze flight data and the physical damage to the airframe to understand why the aircraft's descent angle or pitch caused the tail to strike the runway [2].
Kalitta Air, the operator of the flight [3], has not released a detailed statement regarding the specific cause of the rough landing. The FAA typically reviews such occurrences to determine if mechanical failure or pilot error contributed to the skid [6].
“A Kalitta Air cargo plane scraped its tail on a runway in Kentucky”
Tail strikes are serious aviation incidents that can cause structural damage to the fuselage and compromise the integrity of the aircraft's pressure vessel. An FAA investigation into a Boeing 777-300ER will focus on whether the incident was an isolated pilot error or a symptom of a larger operational trend requiring updated training or maintenance protocols for heavy cargo fleets.
