Probable cause
The captain’s failure to maintain proper pitch attitude during landing, likely caused by improper seat position.
NTSB analysis
The airplane experienced a tailstrike during landing at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada. The captain hand flew the approach with auto thrust off. He stated that the landing picture looked normal and started the flare about 1000 feet down the runway. However, during the flare, the pitch, pitch alert activated, and the airplane bounced. After the event, the captain checked his seat position and found that it was 2 inches higher than normal, which may have altered his sight picture. Post-flight inspection revealed abrasion damage to the lower fuselage skin, deformation to the aft pressure bulkhead, damage to multiple frame fasteners, and multiple pulled fasteners.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA22LA044 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 13, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Paradise, Nevada
- Nearest airport
- Harry Reid International (KLAS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Airbus A320-251N
- N-number
- N307FR
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2017
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.