On July 9th, 2024, a LATAM Airlines Boeing 777-300 flying from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) encountered a tail strike during take-off. The incident, which involved flight LA8073 and aircraft with registration PT-MUG, has garnered attention due to the dramatic video footage emerging online
By Aditya M
The Incident
While departing from Milan's runway 35L, the LATAM B777's tail scraped the runway surface during rotation. Despite the tail strike, the pilots continued the climb-out following standard procedures for such situations. The aircraft reached an altitude of 6,000 feet before entering a holding pattern to dump fuel and lighten the aircraft for a safe return to Milan. After circling for roughly an hour, the flight landed safely on runway 35R at Malpensa Airport.
Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries among the passengers or crew. However, the aircraft sustained damage and remains grounded for further inspection and repairs.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the LATAM B777 tail strike is currently under investigation. Aviation authorities will analyse factors such as weight distribution, weather conditions, and pilot actions to determine what led to the incident.
Tail Strikes: A Serious Aviation Concern
Tail strikes are a serious concern in aviation as they can cause significant damage to the aircraft's tail section and potentially lead to controllability issues. Fortunately, the pilots in this instance reacted appropriately and were able to land the aircraft safely.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of strict adherence to take-off procedures and proper weight distribution to ensure safe flight operations.
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