Pilot Error Led to Dramatic Tailstrike Incident on LATAM Boeing 777 at Milan Airport

A LATAM Boeing 777-300 experienced a severe tailstrike during takeoff from Milan Malpensa Airport last month due to pilot error in entering data into the onboard computer, according to a preliminary report from Italy’s air safety agency. The incident, which occurred on July 9, involved incorrect input of weight figures, leading the aircraft to attempt takeoff at an insufficient speed.

The flight, bound for Sao Paulo from Milan, was carrying 398 passengers and crew when the tailstrike occurred. Surveillance footage captured the aircraft dragging its tail along the runway for approximately 720 meters, causing significant damage before it successfully lifted off. After the incident, the pilots halted their ascent at about 6,000 feet and began to dump fuel in preparation for an emergency return to Milan. The extensive damage to the aircraft led to the cancellation of the flight and the aircraft remained grounded for several days before being flown back to Sao Paulo for repairs.

The investigative report revealed that the pilots mistakenly entered the aircraft’s ‘zero fuel weight’ instead of its actual fuel weight into the flight management computer. This critical error resulted in a miscalculation of the necessary takeoff speed. Notably, the cockpit was staffed by three pilots at the time, including an instructor captain who was overseeing the training of another pilot.

This Boeing 777 had previously encountered serious issues in 2018 during a transatlantic flight from Sao Paulo to London Heathrow. During that flight, the aircraft suffered a significant electrical fault, leading to the deployment of an emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) to maintain some electrical power and culminating in an overweight emergency landing in Belo Horizonte. Passengers reported a total power outage in the cabin, and the electrical issues prevented the crew from dumping fuel.

The ongoing investigation into the recent tailstrike incident will likely focus further on cockpit procedures and the training of flight crews, particularly in accurately programming the flight management computer. The incident underscores the critical importance of precise data entry and verification processes on the flight deck, especially in complex aircraft like the Boeing 777. Repairs on the damaged aircraft continue as LATAM and aviation authorities seek to learn from this event and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, paddleyourownkanoo.com