# Final NTSB investigations: Tailstrike

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 75 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB DCA26LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26LA282.md): Airbus A321-211 · New York, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2026 · N382DN · Substantial damage
  > The first officer’s excessive aft sidestick input following a bounced landing, and the line check pilot’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an increase in the airplane’s pitch attitude and a subsequent tailstrike.
- [NTSB WPR26LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA199.md): Bell 206-L4 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2026 · N917SU · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control while manipulating the engine governor reference rpm adjustment during hover operations, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with the ground.
- [NTSB WPR26LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA172.md): Bell 407 · Young, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 29, 2026 · N407BB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree stump during landing in mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB DCA26LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26LA142.md): Boeing 787 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2026 · JA873A · Substantial damage
  > The captain’s inadvertent activation of the takeoff/go around switch at touchdown that caused an increase in the airplane pitch attitude that was not corrected before the lower fuselage contacted the runway.
- [NTSB DCA26LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26LA115.md): Airbus A321-271NX · San Francisco, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 9, 2026 · N2188J · Substantial damage
  > The first officer’s excessive aft sidestick input combined with decaying airspeed during initiation of a go-around, resulting in an increase in the airplane pitch attitude and subsequent lower fuselage contacting the runway.
- [NTSB WPR26LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA117.md): Cessna T206H · Lewiston, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 18, 2026 · N465CS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in hard, bounced landing and subsequent tail strike.
- [NTSB ANC25LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA092.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Juneau, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 22, 2025 · N149TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during takeoff from uneven, snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.
- [NTSB DCA25LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA286.md): Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170-200 LR · Boston, MA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2025 · N224JQ · Substantial damage
  > The captain’s decision to continue the landing after the bounce and the subsequent misapplication of pitch controls. Contributing to the accident was the ongoing “land and hold short” operations that may have created an urgency to land.
- [NTSB DCA25LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA251.md): Boeing 737-924ER · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 2, 2025 · N66831 · Substantial damage
  > The first officer’s failure to maintain proper pitch attitude during flare which resulted in a bounced landing and a tailstrike.
- [NTSB ANC25LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA069.md): Cessna P206C · Port Graham, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 23, 2025 · N8630Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare and failure to maintain pitch control, which resulted in a tail strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to initiate a go around after the abnormal runway contact.
- [NTSB DCA25LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA085.md): Boeing 767 · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 10, 2025 · N324UP · Substantial damage
  > Encounter with windshear during landing which resulted in a tailstrike.
- [NTSB DCA25LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA015.md): Airbus A300 F4-622R · Louisville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 29, 2024 · N162UP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s incorrect pitch attitude during a bounced landing which resulted in a tailstrike.
- [NTSB CEN24LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA112.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2024 · N4054Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.
- [NTSB DCA24LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA065.md): Boeing 737 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 10, 2024 · N62883 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s aft fuselage impacted the runway as a result of a delayed flare and subsequent nose-high pitch inputs during the aircraft’s multiple touchdowns.
- [NTSB DCA23LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA278.md): Airbus A321-231 · Charlotte, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 5, 2023 · N921US · Substantial damage
  > The captain’s failure to maintain the appropriate airspeed and pitch attitude during landing which resulted in a tailstrike.
- [NTSB CEN23LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA175.md): Cessna 172S · Brookings, SD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 4, 2023 · N1674E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident, was the student pilot’s delay in relinquishing control of the airplane and the instructor's delayed reaction before the loss of…
- [NTSB DCA23LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA232.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88 · Saltillo, Mexico · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 24, 2023 · N834US · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for a wind shift while on short final approach which resulted in a higher than normal sink rate and a tailstrike.
- [NTSB DCA23LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA221.md): Airbus A320-232 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 22, 2023 · N1902U · Substantial damage
  > The first officer's failure to maintain the correct airspeed and pitch attitude during landing which resulted in a tailstrike.
- [NTSB CEN23LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA048.md): Hughes 369HS · Oxford, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 23, 2022 · N668M · Substantial damage
  > The designated pilot examiner’s failure to maintain a proper descent during a practice 180° autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB DCA22LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA178.md): Boeing 757-251 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 7, 2022 · N540US · Substantial damage
  > The overpitch control of the airplane during landing resulting in a tail strike.
- [NTSB DCA22LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA069.md): Airbus A320-232 · Hayden, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 22, 2022 · N760JB · Substantial damage
  > The captain’s rotation of the airplane pitch before the rotation speed on takeoff due to his surprise about encountering head on landing traffic, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s pitch limit and a subsequent tail strike. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB DCA22LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA044.md): Airbus A320-251N · Paradise, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 13, 2021 · N307FR · Substantial damage
  > The captain’s failure to maintain proper pitch attitude during landing, likely caused by improper seat position.
- [NTSB DCA22LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA002.md): Boeing 757-224 · Newark, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2021 · N12125 · Substantial damage
  > The nose high attitude on landing resulted in a tailstrike.
- [NTSB DCA22LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA004.md): Airbus A321-271N · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2021 · N208HA · Substantial damage
  > The captain’s improper landing flare, which resulted in an excessive sink rate and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB DCA21LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA21LA210.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11F · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 12, 2021 · N296UP · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s incorrect pitch attitude during go-around.
- [NTSB ERA21LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA202.md): Cessna 172S · Martinsville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2021 · N1089D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper pitch control during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a tail strike and a runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR21LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA084.md): Hughes 369D · Winthrop, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2021 · N8612F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment which resulted in a collision with a snowbank and subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB DCA20CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20CA095.md): Boeing 757 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Mar 21, 2020 · N193AN · Substantial damage
  > the excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.
- [NTSB DCA19LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19LA193.md): Airbus A321 · Orlando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N717FR · Substantial damage
  > Encountering gusty conditions at a low altitude during landing and the crew’s decision to do a go-around at a low altitude with an excessive rotation rate.
- [NTSB DCA19CA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA169.md): Boeing 737 · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2019 · N75436 · Substantial damage
  > the early initiation of the landing flare that resulted in a high pitch attitude and tailstrike.
- [NTSB DCA19CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA066.md): Boeing 757 · Charlotte, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 31, 2018 · N938UW · Substantial damage
  > an inadvertent loss of airspeed and increased pitch attitude prior to touchdown.
- [NTSB DCA18CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18CA266.md): Boeing 757 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2018 · N192AN · Substantial damage
  > The captain's improper control of the airplane during the landing flare.
- [NTSB GAA18CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA072.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Pierce, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 5, 2017 · N99RW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a tail strike and hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA17LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA258.md): Kubassek David Zenith 601 · Aiken, SC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2017 · N651JL · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the nose landing gear’s (NLG) lower bearing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during landing, a runway excursion, and the NLG collapsing.
- [NTSB DCA17LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17LA145.md): Airbus A321 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 23, 2017 · N315DN · Substantial damage
  > The first officer's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and the flight crew’s improper bounced landing recovery procedures.
- [NTSB DCA17LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17LA122.md): Boeing 757 · Raleigh, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 21, 2017 · N633DL · Substantial damage
  > the first officer's failure to attain a proper landing flare, which resulted in a tail strike.
- [NTSB CEN17LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA055.md): Hiller OH 23B · Tynan, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2016 · N5776 · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's delayed and improper landing flare during a practice autorotation, which resulted in the tail rotor striking terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA512.md): Air Tractor AT802 · Wilson, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2016 · N519EP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately survey the area of operation and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA16CA439](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA439.md): Bell 206 L4 · Broussard, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2016 · N7898X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which resulted in the helicopter sliding off the aft end of the transport dolly.
- [NTSB GAA16CA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA328.md): Airbus AS350 · McAllen, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2016 · N4035W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent input of the right tail rotor pedal, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an impact with service equipment.
- [NTSB GAA16CA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA256.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · South St Paul, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2016 · N323FT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive nose high pitch attitude, which resulted in a tail strike during the landing flare.
- [NTSB GAA16CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA157.md): Cessna 172 · Nashville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 20, 2016 · N118ET · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive pitch up and incorrect action of selecting flaps to zero degrees, which resulted in a tail strike during a go-around in crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB DCA16CA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA113.md): Boeing 767 34AF · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 5, 2016 · N305UP · Substantial damage
  > the pilot flying's failure to maintain airspeed and correct pitch attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain appropriate thrust after disconnecting the autothrottles. Also contributing was the first officer's failure to monitor…
- [NTSB GAA15CA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA272.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 20 C1 · Sanford, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 19, 2015 · N635DC · Substantial damage
  > The student pilots failure to maintain a climb after takeoff, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA15CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA262.md): Aero Commander 500 B · The Dalles, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2015 · N1010F · Substantial damage
  > A motor vehicle's runway incursion causing the premature rotation of the departing airplane, which resulted in a tail strike.
- [NTSB GAA15CA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA174.md): Pilatus PC12 · Belgrade, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 8, 2015 · N220CL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper use of pitch control during an instructional maneuver, which resulted in a tail strike during landing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA061.md): Hughes TH 55 · Morganton, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 5, 2015 · N7089S · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed flare during a simulated auto rotation, which resulted in a tail rotor strike and rollover.
- [NTSB GAA15CA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA013.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Lake Hamilton, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 21, 2015 · N701CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's overcorrection to the landing pad shifting, which resulted in the helicopter impacting trees. A factor contributing to the accident was the collapse of the landing pad.
- [NTSB ERA15CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA089.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Barranquitas, PR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2015 · N3183T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while landing which resulted in a tailrotor ground strike and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15CA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA093.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Horseshoe Bay, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 29, 2014 · N174CD · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter's contact with the landing pad during a rejected landing.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?status=final&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."completionStatus" = 'Completed'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '091' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence?status=final

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