Created Monday, Sep 4th 2023 10:22Z, last updated Friday, Aug 1st 2025 19:04Z
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.
Related Flight:
EI117,
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