United 702 Landing Accident at KIAH - 7/29/2023

[BFSGrad]

On 7/29/2023, a 32-year-old United Air Lines Boeing 767-300 was substantially damaged during a landing accident at Houston (KIAH). The United 702 (N641UA) FO/PF administered the banana treatment to the fuselage with a saucy de-rotation (twice!) during an otherwise routine landing. Post-accident consensus (uninformed) was that this airframe would be retired due to airframe age and type of damage.

However…

The aircraft sat at KIAH until 12/23/2023 when it was ferried to Wilmington Air Park (KILN) for what appears to be repair (Airborne MRO?). The aircraft has since completed two 75-minute flights (assume test flights, return to KILN) on 3/5 to 15,000 ft and 3/12 to 6,000 ft.

Hoping this old girl will see at least a few more years of revenue service.

Aviation Safety Network - UA702 (https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/343043)

[SQUAWKIDENT]

On 7/29/2023, a 32-year-old United Air Lines Boeing 767-300 was substantially damaged during a landing accident at Houston (KIAH). The United 702 (N641UA) FO/PF administered the banana treatment to the fuselage with a saucy de-rotation (twice!) during an otherwise routine landing. Post-accident consensus (uninformed) was that this airframe would be retired due to airframe age and type of damage.
2 (https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/343043)

What is a "saucy de-rotation" - I've not heard of that technique.

[1859sqn]

Sounds like my wedding night ; )

[FlexibleResponse]

It would appear to be an unfortunate handling characteristic if the B-767:

https://youtu.be/Jw-aUVa3a0U

[Junkflyer]

More like an unfortunate response to a hard landing.

[BFSGrad]

It would appear to be an unfortunate handling characteristic if the B-767
The Japan accident report for the 2012 ANA hard landing (JA610A, still in service) made no mention of “unfortunate handling characteristic” of the 767. The report did note that there are changes in pitch moments due to thrust changes and spoiler deployment. Not quite shocking information for a large airliner. The report also noted the high risk of large nose-down elevator inputs during the landing phase.

I don’t anticipate that the NTSB is going to find that the United hard landing was due to some unmanageable flight characteristic of the 767.

After two more test flights at KILN (3/18, 3/21), N641UA moved to KCWF on 3/22, assume for a splash of exterior paint before return to service.

[Bksmithca]

It would appear to be an unfortunate handling characteristic if the B-767:

From my perspective any aircraft dropped on its nose wheel from 10 to 15 ft at landing speeds is a candidate for bent equipment

[Chiefttp]

It would appear to be an unfortunate handling characteristic if the B-767:

https://youtu.be/Jw-aUVa3a0U

Hardly,
The 767 is one of the easiest aircraft to land that I’ve ever flown…

[Harry Grout]

The 767 has a long history of upper fuselage damage in the same place as a result of hard nose wheel touchdowns. Boeing modified later production models with a strengthened fuselage crown. At least one aircraft has been repaired twice after sustaining the same damage.

[Pilot DAR]

It would appear to be an unfortunate handling characteristic if the B-767

Or did the pilot flying stop flying before the airplane did? I think any tricycle airplane will bounce off the nosewheel if it's allowed to!

[BFSGrad]

N641UA returned to KIAH last evening and is scheduled to depart this afternoon for Lima, Peru on what I assume is the first revenue flight upon return to service.