{"id":123061,"date":"2025-12-01T11:11:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T05:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=123061"},"modified":"2025-12-01T01:02:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T19:32:14","slug":"cathay-pacific-a350-grounded-after-tail-strike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/01\/cathay-pacific-a350-grounded-after-tail-strike\/","title":{"rendered":"Cathay Pacific A350 Grounded After Emergency Landing at Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HONG KONG-<\/strong> Cathay Pacific (CX)<\/a> grounded an Airbus A350-1000 after a tail strike occurred during a missed approach at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The aircraft, arriving from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), entered a go-around after an unstable landing attempt and later landed safely on its second approach without injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jet has remained grounded for four days pending engineering inspection and repairs before it can return to commercial service. The event prompted operational review and renewed focus on tail-strike prevention technology and pilot training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cathay
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cathay Pacific A350 Tail Strike <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A tail strike occurs when the aft underside of an aircraft contacts the runway due to excessive nose-up pitch during takeoff or landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, the Airbus A350-1000<\/a> approached Runway 07C at Hong Kong International Airport and began veering left during the final phase of the approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight crew initiated a go-around to stabilize the aircraft, and the impact occurred during the maneuver, not during touchdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the tail strike, the aircraft climbed normally to 6,000 feet before circling for a second approach on the same runway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FlightRadar24 data shows the landing was completed safely 34 minutes behind schedule at 11 minutes before midnight local time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grounded aircraft, which is only four years old, has not operated any commercial flights since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reported by Simple Flying<\/a>, the airline is conducting structural inspection and repairs and will update the incident details once Cathay Pacific releases further information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cathay
Cathay Pacific A350-900; Photo- Kwok Ho Eddie Wong | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Preventive Technology to Reduce Tail-Strike Risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tail strikes are more common on landing than takeoff, with Airbus data indicating 65 percent occurring during landing and 25 percent during takeoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reduce risk, Airbus integrates pitch-limit cues on the Primary Flight Display below 400 feet and audible \u201cPITCH PITCH\u201d warnings when pitch values exceed thresholds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boeing introduced its Tail-Strike Protection system on the 777-300ER<\/a> in 2003, enabling automatic elevator adjustments when excessive rotation rates are detected during takeoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go-arounds demand precise aircraft handling because pilots apply TOGA thrust and pitch-up input simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autopilot and autothrust systems then work together to provide a burst of power for safe climb performance, but the resulting pitch-up moment requires careful modulation of power and control input to prevent over-rotation and structural damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cathay
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pilot Preparedness for Abnormal Scenarios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Commercial pilots undergo simulator assessments every six months to practice manual aircraft handling and response to non-routine situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simulated sessions include engine failures, rejected takeoffs, unstable approaches, and go-around execution to reinforce skills beyond automated flight management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During aircraft certification, manufacturers intentionally conduct controlled tail-strike tests using a protective tail-skid to determine the Minimum Unstick Speed (Vmu).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vmu defines the lowest possible takeoff speed at which the aircraft can lift off safely with maximum pitch-up attitude and serves as an important flight-performance reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific Los Angeles to Hong Kong Flight Passengers Stranded for 28 Hours<\/a><\/blockquote>