Description

On 26 May 2013, a Bombardier DHC8-400 (C-GLQO) being operated by Porter Airlines, on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Toronto City Airport to Sault Ste. Marie sustained a tail strike during a night landing at destination off a visual approach in benign weather conditions. The aircraft sustained 'substantial' damage but none of the 61 occupants were injured.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Canadian TSB. Recorded data relevant to the Investigation was recovered from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR). It was noted that damage caused by the tail strike required the replacement of an area of fuselage skin and a number of structural stiffeners and longerons prior to return to service.

The PF for the flight was the First Officer. It was found that he had been on line less than two months in his first airline job after considerable experience flying light aircraft as single pilot and light twins as a co pilot. He had 134 hours experience on the aircraft type involved, including training time and had flown on only 4 other days in the month of May prior to the accident. The Captain was experienced both generally and on the aircraft type and was one of Porter Airlines' Training Captains, although he was not operating in that capacity on the investigated flight.