On 6 May 2022, a Boeing 737-800 sustained a tail strike during takeoff from Kathmandu during a flight to revalidate a captain’s airport familiarisation training. Running the applicable non-normal procedure was delayed until above the unusually high minimum safe altitude, but when actioned, some of its requirements were not initially or fully followed. A precautionary diversion to Kolkata was subsequently completed. The Investigation found that an excessive pitch rate during rotation had resulted in the pitch angle limit being exceeded. The absence of sufficient procedural guidance on tail strike response and some crew unfamiliarity with depressurisation procedures was noted.
Description
On 6 May 2022, the crew of a Boeing 737-800 (9V-MGL) being operated by Singapore Airlines on a scheduled international passenger flight from Kathmandu to Singapore Changi became aware of a probable tail strike during takeoff in day VMC. The appropriate standard response to the suspected occurrence was delayed because of a perceived need to climb above the MSA before commencing it. Implementation of the response was then mismanaged before a procedurally required diversion - to Kolkata - was made without further event. There, it was found that the tail strike had not caused any structural damage to the aircraft’s aft fuselage.
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