20180727017409A

During landing and derotation, the nose of the aircraft was rapidly lowered, causing the nose gear to contact the runway with increased force. The impact caused substantial damage to the upper portion of the aircraft fuselage. The exterior skin of the aircraft was wrinkled in a semicircular fashion from the top of the windows on one side, over the crown of the fuselage, to the top of the windows on the other side. The damage occured between the 11th and 12th window aft of the nose of the aircraft. Preliminary investigation of the interior structure of the top of the fuselage was possible after removal of ceiling panels and insulation by company maintenance personnel traveling with the aircraft. Substantial damage to stringers and other support structures was observed.

Damage to the landing gear trucks was also noted. This damage was minor, and is consistent with damage noted after excessive compression of the main landing gear struts.

Reivew of the aircraft flight log, and statements received from the flight crew, indicate that the first officer was the pilot flying. The first officer was a recently trained crew member, and was operating the aircraft during the second leg of his initial operating experience following completion of initial training.

A written statement from the first officer indicated that after the main landing gear made contact with the runway, he released back pressure to avoid striking the tail of the aircraft. The first officer stated that he recognized the accelerated derotation of the nose, but did not have enough elevator authority to overcome it.

A written statement from the captain stated "in the landing phase I think we skipped of (SIC) the left and right main not enough to go around but enough to deploy the speed brakes in flight." The captain stated that the main landing gear hit harder than normal, and that after the nose first impacted the runway, it bounced "2 maybe 3 times."