An SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A330-300 bound for Newark, NJ diverted to Copenhagen after suffering a tail strike during departure from Stockholm on 21 November 2024.
SAS flight SK903, operated by an Airbus A330-300, had conducted a departure from runway 01L Stockholm Arlanda airport (ARN). The aircraft was conducting a scheduled service to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
SAS SK903 Stockholm-Newark
During the takeoff, the aircraft’s tail struck the runway surface. Following the takeoff incident, the aircraft continued to climb to cruising level. As the aircraft passed to the north of Copenhagen, flight crew elected to make a precautionary diversion.
The aircraft subsequently landed on runway 22L Copenhagen Airport (CPH), approximately 75 minutes after the diversion was initiated.
The airline mustered a replacement aircraft to carry out the onwards scheduled service to Newark.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that SAS flight SK903 had made a slightly delayed departure out of Stockholm Arlanda at 1121 local time on 21 November. Scheduled departure time for the service was listed as 1045 local time.
Following the tail strike incident, the aircraft climbed to cruising level FL360 (36,000 feet) and maintained flight plan track for Newark. The diversion to Copenhagen was then carried out at cruising level FL360.
Aircraft conducting in the SK903 service to Newark Liberty International Airport was an Airbus A330-300, registered LN-RKM. This is a 22.2-year-old wide-body aircraft belonging to the carrier SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in October 2002. The aircraft bears the airline name of ‘Eystein Viking’.
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