# NTSB DCA09FA004: Airbus 320, N448UA, Phoenix, AZ, October 20, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 2008, 12:42 local (19:42 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.435276, -112.010002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4353&lon=-112.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 162 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, AAI-100
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA09FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69361/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69361
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA09FA004

## Probable cause

The failure of the flightcrew to arrest an excessive sink rate during the flare for landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-232, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3930326), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-232, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=3930326), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md)

## Analysis

United Airlines flight 1449, an Airbus A320, experienced a tailstrike on landing. Substantial damage occurred to the underbelly and aft bulkhead area. There were no injuries among the crew or passengers. According to the pilots, the approach was stabilized, on speed and on glide path, until the aircraft descended below 100 feet above the ground (AGL). Then, the airspeed began to slow below the approach speed of 141 knots, and the aircraft pitch attitude increased. At about 100 feet above the field elevation, the first officer pulled the thrust levers to idle. Shortly thereafter, the airspeed decreased to about 10 knots below approach speed. The first officer stated that he felt a “sense of ground rush” during the flare at about 70 feet and he increased back pressure on the side-stick to arrest the sink rate. The airplane touched down with a nose up pitch attitude of 12.3 degrees with the main landing gear compressed. The tail strike pitch limit at touchdown with the main landing gear compressed is 11.9 degrees nose up.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 20, 2008, at approximately 1242 Mountain Standard Time, a United Airlines Airbus A320 operating as a regularly scheduled passenger flight number 1449 from Denver, Colorado, to Phoenix, Arizona, experienced a tailstrike on landing on runway 8 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The airplane, which was being operated under 14 CFR Part 121, experienced substantial damage to the underbelly and aft bulkhead area. There were no injuries among the crew of 7 or the 156 passengers. The accident crew departed Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado, about 1147 mst, bound for PHX, on the first flight of a three day trip. The first officer was the flying pilot. According to interviews, during the flight the accident crew discussed the recent change in United Airlines standard operating procedure to the use of flaps 3 for landing. During the descent, the first officer conducted an approach briefing for landing on runway 8. The brief was for a visual approach to runway 8 using flaps 3 for landing. Weather conditions at the airport were VMC with wind reported to be from the southeast at approximately 4-6 knots. About the time the air traffic controller issued a turn for the base leg, the first officer stated that he turned off the auto pilot and auto thrust. As the aircraft descended below 100 feet above the ground (AGL), the airspeed began to slow below the calculated V approach speed (VAPP) of 141 knots, and the aircraft pitch attitude was increasing. According to the pilots, the approach was stabilized, on speed and on glide path, until about 100 feet above field elevation. At about 100 feet above the field elevation, the first officer pulled the thrust levers to idle. shortly thereafter, the airspeed decreased to about 10 knots below VAPP. The first officer stated that he felt a “sense of ground rush” during the flare at about 70 feet and he increased back pressure on the side-stick to arrest the sink rate. After landing, the cabin crew notified the flight deck crew that they believed they had hit the tail on landing. During his post flight inspection, the first officer confirmed that this had occurred. INJURIES TO PERSONS None DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT The aircraft suffered skin damage for a distance of 6 frames beginning at the aft pressure bulkhead (frame 70) and moving forward. In addition, damage was found to the pressure bulkhead web and structural stiffeners. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The accident flight crew consisted of a captain, first officer, and four cabin crewmembers. The captain and first officer had flown together previously. However, the accident flight was the first flight of a three day trip and the first flight they had flown together in more than one month. Both crewmembers were current and qualified under United Airlines and FAA requirements. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION No preaccident mechanical anomalies were evident. The following information was obtained from the United Airlines weightmanifest: Basic Operating Weight 97,852 lbs. Passenger Weight 29,285 lbs. Baggage & Cargo 4,360 lbs. Zero Fuel Weight 131,497 lbs. Fuel 14,300 lbs. Ramp Weight 145,797 lbs. Taxi Fuel Burn 400 lbs. Takeoff Weight 145,397 lbs. Maximum Takeoff Weight Allowed 151,100 lbs. Landing Weight Est 136,400 lbs. Maximum Landing Weight Allowed 142,200 lbs. The landing center of gravity (CG) and weight were within limits for landing on runway 8 at PHX. TESTS AND RESEARCH According to flight data obtained from the airplane digital flight data recorder (DFDR), the airplane touched down with a nose up pitch attitude of 12.3 degrees with the main landing gear compressed. According to Airbus, the tail strike pitch limit at touchdown with the main landing gear compressed is 11.9 degrees nose up.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N448UA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N448UA), registered now, S/N 842, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS 320 (232)
- Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A320-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a320-232) (registry code 3930326) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [IAE V2500SERIES](https://openairdocs.org/engine/iae-v2500series) (registry code 34601, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 842
- Airframe hours: 34617
- Engines: IAE V2500 turbo fan; IAE V2500 turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: Tour Societe Generale Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 8, 2007
- Departed: DEN, Denver, CO
- Destination: PHX, Phoenix, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHX, Sky Harbor International, runway 08, 11,489 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Co-pilot; age 49; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review December 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,095 in this make and model
- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 11,725 total, 2,835 in this make and model
- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69361. 2.8 MB in all.

- Operations 2 - Operations/Human Performance Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 1, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Operations%2FHuman%20Performance%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Operations 2 - Attachment 1 - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Attachment%201%20-%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF
- Operations 2 - Attachment 2 - Pitch Trend Flaps (item 3, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312815&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Attachment%202%20-%20Pitch%20Trend%20Flaps-Master.PDF
- Operations 2 - Attachment 3 - Pitch Trend Thrust (item 4, .PDF, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Attachment%203%20-%20Pitch%20Trend%20Thrust-Master.PDF
- Operations 2 - Attachment 4 - Crew Statements (item 5, .PDF, 643 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Attachment%204%20-%20Crew%20Statements-Master.PDF
- Operations 2 - Attachment 5 - Crew Interview Follow Up (item 6, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Attachment%205%20-%20Crew%20Interview%20Follow%20Up-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 7, .PDF, 790 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Flight Data Recorder 10 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 8, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Data%20Recorder%2010%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Flight Data Recorder 10 - Attachment 1 Tabular Data (item 9, .CSV, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316864&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Flight%20Data%20Recorder%2010%20-%20Attachment%201%20Tabular%20Data-Master.csv
- Cockpit Voice Recorder 12 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 10, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cockpit%20Voice%20Recorder%2012%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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