Tail Strike
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: Sydney, Australia
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It's not up to me to say who it was, but I can say it wasn't a 767 and it wasn't QF.
We were using 34 parallels in a NE wind. The tailstrike ripped out a centreline light on 34L, which meant the runway had to be closed due hole and debris pending repairs and cleanup, leaving 07 for all ops.
Repairs took 15-20 minutes, but there was a fair bit of traffic around and we ended up committed to 07 arrivals and departures for 40 min.
It did cause delays - runway changes (to 07 only, then back to 34 parallels) and a period of one runway for all ops do that. The worst was 23 minutes taxy to airborne (normally between 5 and 10 at that time of day)
Then we had the thunderstorms.
Cheers
AA
[ 09 February 2002: Message edited by: Ausatco ]</p>
We were using 34 parallels in a NE wind. The tailstrike ripped out a centreline light on 34L, which meant the runway had to be closed due hole and debris pending repairs and cleanup, leaving 07 for all ops.
Repairs took 15-20 minutes, but there was a fair bit of traffic around and we ended up committed to 07 arrivals and departures for 40 min.
It did cause delays - runway changes (to 07 only, then back to 34 parallels) and a period of one runway for all ops do that. The worst was 23 minutes taxy to airborne (normally between 5 and 10 at that time of day)
Then we had the thunderstorms.
Cheers
AA
[ 09 February 2002: Message edited by: Ausatco ]</p>
Nunc est bibendum
Excellent character assination of QF drivers toe. Guess you never let the facts get in the way of a good story!
Thanks Ausatc for getting us off the hook on this one.
QF drivers have tailscrapes on their 767s at pretty much the same statistical average as other major operators.
Thanks Ausatc for getting us off the hook on this one.
QF drivers have tailscrapes on their 767s at pretty much the same statistical average as other major operators.
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Keg,. . Where did you get your statistics on tailscrape incidents? A search of AVNET only listed major damage from tailscrapes. Tried searching for info on various types but no luck. I was more interested in types suffering tailscrapes rather than airlines.
Nunc est bibendum
Vicar, most of the stuff I've heard about tailscrapes have been 767 specific stuff over the last five=ish years with QF.
Whilst we are continuously looking at ways of minimising them and discussion papers bounce around every winter (when the strong westerleys and increased number of x=wind take offs pick up), there is occasionally the tid bit that QF have a similar statisitical number of tail scrapes as other airlines.
I've never heard of one being bad enough to do damage to anything other than the paint work! I've also never read of any incident reports about guys returning due to tailscrape (IE, the first thing they know is when they see the scratched paint on the walk around for the next sector).
The rumours always suggested 'one a week' but again, I've got nothing other than hearsay to back that up. I don't even recall the source.
A few things I know for sure. QF do have them from time to time. We are not perfect (as much as I'd like us to be!) I haven't had one that I know of!
Whilst we are continuously looking at ways of minimising them and discussion papers bounce around every winter (when the strong westerleys and increased number of x=wind take offs pick up), there is occasionally the tid bit that QF have a similar statisitical number of tail scrapes as other airlines.
I've never heard of one being bad enough to do damage to anything other than the paint work! I've also never read of any incident reports about guys returning due to tailscrape (IE, the first thing they know is when they see the scratched paint on the walk around for the next sector).
The rumours always suggested 'one a week' but again, I've got nothing other than hearsay to back that up. I don't even recall the source.
A few things I know for sure. QF do have them from time to time. We are not perfect (as much as I'd like us to be!) I haven't had one that I know of!
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Keg,an easy way not to scrape the tail on the 76, Classic and 400 is if you get to 10 degrees and the lever lock has not gone click click, stop the rotate.. .Cheers.
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Thanks Keg,. . Have flown the 767 for many years and never heard of one until the -300 came on the scene. There was a fair amount of effort expended in emphasising correct rotation rates and an awareness of the reduced clearance in various attitudes. Personally from observation I have noted that some pilots are not aware of their increasing rotation rate until brought back to speed in the sim. Then they gradually speed up again. 
Certainly the -300 needs care in certain conditions.
Certainly the -300 needs care in certain conditions.
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Yes Toecutter. Partially right as usual. It was a tailscrape on T/O on Friday but it was an SQ 777 who did the deed. I was awaiting T/O and saw the event.. .So, I guess your next post will say "Ooops! Sorry for the accusation QF." will it not?
A mate of mine who's just returned from Singapore was a pax on that flight, sitting down the back.
He says the grinding noise when the tail hit was horrendous.
No, he did not think he was going to die but he was surprised that they did not return to YSSY to land to have it checked out <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
I tried to find out something about it on the ATSB site but last time I looked there was nothing there.
He says the grinding noise when the tail hit was horrendous.
No, he did not think he was going to die
but he was surprised that they did not return to YSSY to land to have it checked out <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> I tried to find out something about it on the ATSB site but last time I looked there was nothing there.
