Aviation Accident Summary LAX90LA122

SANTA ANA, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N306AW

BOEING 737-300

Analysis

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TAIL STRIKE DURING ROTATION. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED TO LAS VEGAS, AND POST-FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PRESSURE BULKHEAD. THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONAL MANUAL CAUTIONS THE FLIGHT CREW TO LIMIT THE INITIAL PITCH ATTITUDE TO 9-10 DEG, AND TO ROTATE SMOOTHLY AT A MAXIMUM RATE OF 3 DEG/SEC. THE DFDR READOUT REVEALED THAT THE ROTATION RATE EXCEEDED 7 DEG/SEC.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER ROTATION DURING TAKEOFF.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports