Description

On 30 November 2010, a Bombardier DHC8-400 being operated by Flybe on a scheduled passenger flight from an unrecorded origin to Southampton was unable to select any trailing edge flaps when preparing for the intended landing at destination. The night non precision approach in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) was discontinued and a diversion was made to Bournemouth where a longer runway with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedure was available for the necessary flapless landing and during the subsequent touchdown, a tail strike occurred. None of the 73 occupants were injured and damage to the aircraft was minor.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the UK AAIB. Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data was available to the Investigation, which was assisted by the Operator and the aircraft manufacturer.

It was established that as the aircraft approached touchdown on runway 08 at Bournemouth after a flapless ILS approach, the aircraft commander, as PF had perceived a high rate of descent and had increased the pitch attitude to reduce it. The First Officer, who had been calling pitch attitudes during the approach, had called “Pitch 8°, don’t pitch any more” but as the aircraft touched down, a Master Warning activated and the ‘touched runway’ annunciation illuminated.