NTSB Opens Investigation Into Tail Strike Accident in Charlotte, North Carolina
8/19/2015
WASHINGTON, DC
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into Saturday’s accident that occurred when a passenger jetliner suffered substantial damage following a tail strike during an attempted landing.
On August 15, 2015, at about 6:34 pm eastern daylight time, an Airbus A321, operated by American Airlines as Flight 1851 inbound from Atlanta, reportedly encountered wind shear on final approach to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The airplane impacted runway approach lights followed by an airplane tail to runway impact. The flight crew then performed a go-around maneuver and completed the landing. No injuries were reported; however, the airplane was substantially damaged.
The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been brought to the NTSB laboratory in Washington where they are being downloaded and analyzed.
The investigation will include an examination of weather conditions at the time of the event, airplane performance, and operational factors.
Investigative updates will be issued as circumstance warrant.