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ATSB release Jetstar tail strike incident report -

Via the ATSB: AO-2016-046

What happened

On 11 May 2016, an Airbus A320-232, registered VH-VGF (VGF) and operated by Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd was taking off on runway 27 at Melbourne Airport, Victoria. The flight crew consisted of a training captain in the left seat, a cadet pilot in the right seat and a safety pilot, who was also the first officer, in the jump-seat. This was the cadet pilot’s first takeoff as pilot flying. During rotation, the tail of the aircraft contacted the runway surface.

After takeoff, the cadet pilot realised that the pitch rate during rotation was higher than normal and discussed this with the captain. During the climb, the cabin crew discussed hearing an unusual noise during the takeoff rotation with the captain. Due to the higher than normal rotation rate and the noise heard by the cabin crew, the captain elected to stop the climb and return to Melbourne. The first officer swapped seats with the cadet pilot and the aircraft landed uneventfully on runway 27.

What the ATSB found

The ATSB found that during rotation, the cadet pilot applied a larger than normal sidestick pitch input resulting in a higher than normal pitch rate. The tail of the aircraft contacted the runway surface resulting in damage to the auxiliary power unit (APU) diverter and APU drain mast. While airborne, the crew did not specifically advise air traffic control (ATC) of the possibility that a tail strike had occurred during takeoff.

What's been done as a result

The cadet pilot undertook additional training and assessment before returning to flight duties. Soon after the event, the operator circulated a newsletter to their A320 flight crew highlighting the need to inform ATC of a suspected tail strike or any potential failure resulting in damage/debris.

Safety message

Good communication from the cabin crew alerted the flight crew that a tail strike may have occurred. The climb was stopped and a timely decision to return to Melbourne was taken which minimised the potential risk from damage caused by a tail strike.
It is important to notify ATC of a possible tail strike as soon as operationally suitable. When a potential tail strike has been reported, ATC restricts operations on the affected runway and arranges that a runway inspection is carried out to identify any runway damage or aircraft debris

& from News.com.au:

Jetstar plane tail hits runway on cadet pilot’s first takeoff

A JETSTAR flight carrying 134 people from Melbourne to Hobart was forced to turn around after the cadet’s first takeoff went horribly wrong.

Lauren McMah

September 4, 2017 2:49pm

A Jetstar flight from Melbourne to Hobart was forced to turn around after the plane’s tail struck the runway. (File image). Picture: Brad Hunter

A JETSTAR flight with 134 people on board had to turn back to Melbourne after the plane’s tail hit the runway during the learner pilot’s first takeoff.

The Hobart-bound A320 took off from Melbourne Airport on May 11 last year but was forced to return to the runway after the tail strike and when cabin crew heard unusual noises during the plane’s climb, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in a report handed down today.

The bureau found good communication among the cabin crew and flight crew meant the flight could return quickly and without risk of damage.

But the flight crew did not tell air traffic control about the tail strike as it should have, the report said.

In its investigation into the incident, the ATSB found the 2.49pm flight took off from runway 27 with a cadet pilot, a training captain and safety pilot in the cockpit.


There was some damage to the tail of the A320. Picture: Australian Transport Safety Bureau

The cadet pilot had a commercial pilot license and had completed all Civil Aviation Safety Authority training to be qualified to fly an A320. It was their first takeoff as pilot flying.

While the plane was climbing, the cadet pilot and the captain discussed how the pitch rate was higher than normal. This high pitch rate resulted in a high rotation rate during takeoff, which caused the aircraft’s tail to hit the runway, the ATSB said.

“Later, during the climb, the cabin crew alerted the captain to unusual noises during rotation,” the report said.

“As a result, the captain elected to stop the climb and return to Melbourne. The first officer also swapped seats with the cadet pilot.”

The plane landed without incident at 3.23pm and some damage consistent with a tail strike was found.

The cadet pilot undertook additional training and assessment before returning to flight duties.


Damage to aircraft tail section (circled). Picture: Australian Transport Safety Bureau

ATSB said while the plane’s crew handled the situation well, the potential tail strike “was not adequately communicated to Melbourne air traffic control”.

“This delayed checking the runway for aircraft debris,” the bureau said.

In a statement to news.com.au, a Jetstar spokesman said: “The experienced captain and trainer pilot handled this extremely well and with the help of cabin crew ensured the aircraft returned to Melbourne Airport without further incident.

“The pilot involved was taken off flying duties while he underwent additional simulator training and assessments and after successfully passing this training returned to flying and has operated since without further incident.

“There was no structural damage to the aircraft and it returned to service shortly after.
“We use incidents to further improve the safety of our operation and soon after the event, we reminded our pilots of the importance of alerting air traffic control of a potential tail strike.”

MTF...P2