A United Parcel Service (UPS) Airbus A300-600 freighter arriving from Ontario, CA suffered a tailstrike on landing in Louisville, KY on 29 October 2024.
UPS flight 5X2909 was conducting an arrival from Ontario International Airport (ONT). The flight was cleared for an approach and landing on runway 17R Louisville International Airport (SDF).
UPS 5X2909 Ontario-Louisville
During the landing phase, the aircraft’s tail struck the runway surface. During the subsequent rollout, flight crew advised ATC of a suspected tail strike and vacated the active runway. The aircraft then taxied to the apron hardstanding area.
A subsequent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report confirmed the landing incident, and stated that no injuries were reported as a result. The FAA report does not confirm details of the extent of damage to the aircraft. However, abrasion the photograph released afterwards reveals tail strike damage to the tail empennage underside.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that flight 5X2909 had made a delayed departure from Ontario International Airport on 29 October. Actual time of departure was logged as 0545 local time, 0430 local time.
Following its departure, the flight had set course normally, climbing to flight level FL330 for the westerly service to Louisville.
Descent and approach procedures were similarly conducted normally, and the tail strike occurred during the landing on runway 17R Louisville.
The aircraft conducting the 5X2909 the service from Ontario, California was an Airbus A300F4-600, registered N162UP. This is a 20 year old freighter aircraft belonging to the carrier United Parcel Service.
It has been in operational service with the operator since its initial delivery from the factory in January 2005.
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