The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Plane's tail strikes UK runway twice while landing, probe launched
The British Airways jet had flown from Amsterdam and was touching down at Europeâs busiest airport when its tail made contact with the ground.
An investigation is underway in the United Kingdom after a British Airways Airbus A321neo experienced a tail strike while landing at London Heathrow Airport.
The incident occurred as the aircraft was performing its approach from Amsterdam, proceeding to touch down at what is described as Europe’s busiest airport before the rear of the jet struck the runway twice.
The crew aborted the initial landing and climbed away from the airport, then executed a second landing on the same flight and landed without incident.
British Airways says it is assisting the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch with the inquiry and cannot comment further at this stage. A spokesperson indicated the aircraft landed safely on the second attempt.
A livestream from FlightRadar24 and Big Jet TV captured the moment the tail struck the runway during the approach. The aircraft is not scheduled to fly again for another two days.