Created Sunday, Aug 29th 2021 16:03Z, last updated Tuesday, Sep 7th 2021 18:59Z
A Cargojet Airways Boeing 767-300 freighter, registration C-GUAJ performing freight flight W8-1328 from Tokyo Narita (Japan) to Vancouver,BC (Canada) with 2 crew, was departing Narita's runway 16R at 11:32L (02:32Z) when during rotation for takeoff the tail of the aircraft contacted the runway surface emitting a puff of smoke. The aircraft climbed out and continued to Vancouver, where the aircraft landed about 8:15 hours later.
Japan's Ministry of Transport reported the ATC controller noticed the tail strike, a runway inspection revealed contact marks of about 31 meters length, width about 15cm and depth of 1-2cm, one of the runway center line lights was also damaged. The crew, assuming nothing was wrong, continued to destination. The runway was closed for about 90 minutes to replace the light and return the runway to a safe condition. A detailed investigation into the occurrence was opened.
The aircraft remained on the ground in Vancouver for about 2.5 hours, then continued for the next sector of W8-1328 to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA).
On Sep 7th 2021 the Canadian TSB reported:
After take off, the EICAS (Engine-indicating and crew-alerting system) message "R TAIL HYD VAL" in amber appeared. RJAA Tower reported smoke from the tail section on rotation before switching the flight crew to departure frequency. After flaps retraction flight crew requested to level off at 10000 feet (cleared altitude was 23000 feet), then reached QRH which reads "R TAIL FLT CONTROL SHUTOFF SWITCH MUST BE ON FOR FLIGHT". Flight Control Shutoff Valves on P61 panel indicated R TAIL SHUTOFF VALVE "ON" in white as well as "OFF" in amber. The switch is guarded and says "GND USE ONLY". Flight crew then contacted Maintenance control via Sat phone. Maintenance suggestion was to do nothing with the shutoff valve. Other systems which could have been affected if the tail strike has occurred, such as hydraulics and cabin pressure looked normal. Flight crew also concluded, after discussion with maintenance, that the lack of the ''TAIL STRIKE EICAS'' message made the flight safe to destination . Before landing in YVR and after extending the gears, EICAS message "TAILSKID" in amber appeared. QRH actions were performed and uneventful landing was completed. Post-flight inspection by the Maintenance crew revealed the orange paint on the tail skid was partially removed but the indication on the strut showed no sign of compression. Aircraft was returned to service with tail skid repair deferred on MEL (Minimum equipment list).
