FTW95LA055

During landing the aircraft's tail struck the runway. The approach was classified by the pilot and the operator as 'normal' until after touch down; however it was noted on the flight data recorder the aircraft decelerated to vref -8 before touchdown and floated for 8 seconds. Following the touch down, the pilot allowed the aircraft to increase the pitch up attitude to '10.9 degrees.' The manufacturer's instructions states that if the 'pitch attitude surpasses 10.5 degrees with the landing gear compressed the tail will strike the runway.' The pilot had a history of experimenting with aerodynamic braking during landings.

On November 25, 1994, at 0549 central standard time, a Boeing 757-24APF, N413UP, was substantially damaged during landing at the Tulsa International Airport, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The airplane, owned and operated by United Parcel Service, Inc., (UPS) as flight 732 and flown by two airline transport rated pilots, was on a 14 CFR Part 121 cargo flight. An IFR flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither of the two crewmembers, the sole occupants, were injured.

During interviews conducted by the operator's flight standards division, the captain admitted to performing non-standard approaches previously, and he liked to "experiment with dynamic braking;" however, "he was not deliberately trying aerodynamic braking on this landing." Other crew members who had flown with the captain stated that "he often experimented and that he had a tendency toward non-compliance with standard operating procedures outlined in the UPS manuals."

The aircraft was equipped with a Fairchild model F1000 digital flight data recorder. The recorder was removed from the aircraft by the company and transported to Louisville, Kentucky, for read out and analysis. The recorder provided the following information: the approach was stable down to 50 feet, the approach speed was 130 knots (Vref +4), the airspeed was decreased to 118 knots (Vref minus 8 knots), the aircraft floated down the runway for approximately 8 seconds. The recorder also indicated that pitch attitude was increasing as the airspeed dissipated. The pitch attitude at touchdown was 7.3 degrees and reached 10.9 degrees in the next 5 seconds. A review of the UPS manuals determined that the approach did not comply with the published procedures for this aircraft.

Boeing Aircraft Company data, published to the users, states that the tail strike will occur at approximately 10.5 degrees pitch up attitude with gear struts compressed.

According to the operator, the airplane experienced a tail strike during landing which caused substantial structural damage. An inspection revealed damage to the belly skin, stringers, drain mast, and aft bulkhead.