Boeing 757 N193AN accident near Las Vegas, Nevada

Probable cause

the excessive pitch attitude at touchdown.

NTSB analysis

On March 21, 2020, at 12:38 am Pacific daylight time (PDT), American Airlines flight 2341, a Boeing 757, N193AN, experienced a tailstrike during landing on runway 26L at the McCarran International Airport (KLAS), Las Vegas, Nevada. There were no injuries to the 127 passengers and crew, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The regularly scheduled passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121from Miami International Airport (KMIA), Florida, to KLAS.

Due to staffing issues related to COVID-19, Las Vegas tower and TRACON were at ATC-zero, and the arrival was handled by Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZLA). The captain was the flying pilot and the first officer was monitoring.

According to the flight crew, the flight was cleared for a visual approach and they monitored the ILS 26L as a backup. The flight crew reported that the winds were from 040 degrees at 8 knots (slight tailwind), visibility greater than ten miles, and a thin layer of broken clouds at 17,000 feet. The captain conducted an approach briefing and the first officer conducted a Landing Distance Assessment to account for the slight tailwind. The first officer reported the approach was normal and stabilized, and they encountered a slight downdraft in the flare. The captain disconnected the autopilot at about 400 feet above the ground and the autothrottle at 200 feet. Flight data recorder data indicated that the pitch attitude was about 7 degrees at touchdown but, as the ground spoilers deployed, pitch attitude increased to 10.9 degrees. There was a 3 to 5 knot crosswind at touchdown.

Post-flight inspection of the airplane indicated the underside of the rear fuselage struck the runway, resulting in damage to the skin, frames, and aft pressure bulkhead.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA20CA095 for the full record.