Cathay Pacific tail strike in early July classified as ‘abnormal runway contact’

Cathay Pacific tail strike in early July classified as ‘abnormal runway contact’ Hong Kong air safety watchdog releases preliminary report on July 3 incident involving flight CX509 from Tokyo The Air Accident Investigation Authority published its report on Friday on the July 3 incident involving flight CX509, carrying 203 passengers and 12 crew, from Tokyo’s Narita airport. During an aborted landing – known as a “go-around” in aviation – in adverse weather, the tail section of the Airbus A330-343’s fuselage made contact with the surface of the south runway at Hong Kong International Airport. The aircraft later landed safely and there were no reports of injuries. In the investigation report, the authority classified the case as an “abnormal runway contact” accident and said a post-flight inspection found signs of abrasion on the lower fuselage skin, as well as damage to the potable water service door, waste service door and aft water drain mast. The aft cargo compartment was deformed, with cracks in several floor beam webs, floor beam supports, slope panel supports, and frame beams. A floor crossbeam support strut was broken and a 10-inch crack was found on the bottom section of the aft pressure bulkhead, the report said.