Lingus A21N at Washington on Aug 30th 2023, false landing and tail strike

Last Update: August 1, 2025 / 19:04:50 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 30, 2023

Classification
Accident

Airline
Aer Lingus

Flight number
EI-117

Departure
Dublin, Ireland

Destination
Washington Dulles, United States

Aircraft Registration
EI-LRD

Aircraft Type
Airbus A321-Neo

ICAO Type Designator
A21N

Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington

Airport ICAO Code
KIAD

An Aer Lingus Airbus A321-200N, registration EI-LRD performing flight EI-117 from Dublin (Ireland) to Washington Dulles,DC (USA), was landing on Washington's runway 01R at 15:37L (19:37Z) when the crew performed a balked landing and went around. The crew subsequently reported the reason for the go around was a "false landing", climbed the aircraft to 3000 feet and positioned for another approach to and landing on runway 01R. The aircraft taxied to the apron.

The aircraft was unable to depart for the return flight and is still on the ground in Washington about 5 days later.

On Oct 9th 2023 Ireland's AAIU reported the aircraft sustained a tail strike during a balked landing and sustained substantial damage. The occurrence was rated an accident and is being investigated by the AAIU.

On Aug 1st 2025 the AAIU released their final report concluding the probable causes of the accident were:

During the second touchdown, following a bounced landing, the pitch attitude of the aircraft exceeded the tailstrike pitch limit.

Contributory Cause(s)

- A 976 fpm rate of descent near to the ground.

- The first ‘Pitch Pitch’ callout registered on the FDR was not annunciated.

- The aircraft bounced following the first touchdown.

- Nose-up side stick inputs during the bounce, possibly due to startle effect and/or in an attempt to ensure a smooth second touchdown.

The AAIU summarized their analysis:

The FO had recently operated into KIAD and flew the first approach. There was a gusty wind on the approach which may have contributed to the aircraft becoming slightly high on the glideslope. In an attempt to regain the glideslope, several nose-down control inputs were made, which, along with a loss of headwind, resulted in an increased rate of descent near to the ground. The rate of descent was subsequently arrested with a rapid aft side stick input which triggered a ‘Pitch Pitch’ callout on the FDR.; however, this callout was not annunciated due to the system logic. The initial touchdown resulted in a bounce to a height of 3 ft RA.

Following the bounce, nose-up side stick inputs were made due to a possible startle effect and/or in an attempt to ensure a smooth second touchdown. The Commander had limited time to react to the unfolding situation and simultaneously with the second touchdown, he took control and initiated a go-around. The aircraft was vectored around for a second approach and landed uneventfully. The Flight Crew first became aware that the aircraft had sustained damage was when a locally based engineer arrived in the flightdeck and informed the Commander. The aircraft was subsequently grounded.



Metars:
KIAD 302152Z 32012KT 10SM FEW060 BKN250 29/13 A2977 RMK AO2 SLP078 T02890128=
KIAD 302052Z 33015G21KT 10SM FEW060 BKN250 30/12 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP074 T03000122 55012=
KIAD 301952Z 32014G21KT 10SM FEW060 BKN250 31/14 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP073 T03110139=
KIAD 301852Z 32013G17KT 10SM FEW060 BKN250 31/14 A2977 RMK AO2 SLP078 T03110139=
KIAD 301752Z 33011G18KT 10SM FEW050 BKN250 32/14 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 29027/1732 SLP086 T03170144 10317 20239 58005=
KIAD 301652Z 33012G20KT 10SM FEW050 BKN180 BKN250 30/15 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP088 T03000150=
KIAD 301552Z 35008G17KT 10SM FEW090 BKN250 29/15 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP090 T02940150=
KIAD 301452Z 31009KT 10SM FEW090 BKN250 28/16 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP091 T02830156 51008=
KIAD 301352Z 33011KT 10SM FEW040 SCT110 BKN160 BKN250 27/16 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP090 T02720161=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
EI-LRD
Country of Registration
Ireland
Date of Registration
Fkm gfd pAmmlbiAp Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
AIRBUS INDUSTRIE
Aircraft Model / Type
A321-253NX
ICAO Aircraft Type
A21N
Year of Manufacture
Glle Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
LlcA Subscribe to unlock
Maximum Take off Mass (MTOM) [kg]
Qpqmg Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
M Subscribe to unlock
Engine
Ajqkmif dfq Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
FcdnjAnmnfijidenmgbccjmlgfm Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 30, 2023

Classification
Accident

Airline
Aer Lingus

Flight number
EI-117

Departure
Dublin, Ireland

Destination
Washington Dulles, United States

Aircraft Registration
EI-LRD

Aircraft Type
Airbus A321-Neo

ICAO Type Designator
A21N

Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington

Airport ICAO Code
KIAD

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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