Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was instructed to go-around on his first approach due to preceding traffic on the runway. After the second approach, he allowed the airplane's descent rate to become excessive, and it touched down firmly and bounced. The second touchdown was also firm. During the landing roll-out, the airplane vibrated, but was controlled with brakes and engine reversing. A post-flight exam revealed damage to both nose gear tires and wheel rims, small holes in the fuselage aft of the nose gear, and ingestion of tire rubber in the #1 engine.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 30, 1993, at 2113 hours Pacific daylight time, Delta Airlines Flight 88, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, N803DE, landed hard on Runway 24R at Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California. The airplane, operating as a scheduled international passenger flight under 14 CFR Part 121, sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to the 14 crewmembers or 263 passengers. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Anchorage, Alaska, at 1545 hours. According to the FAA, the pilot was instructed to go-around on his first approach due to the preceding traffic on the runway. On the second approach, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The pilot added power to cushion the landing, which subsequently stowed and disarmed the wing spoilers. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to both nose gear tires and wheel rims, damage to the heat shield on the center body gear, small holes in the fuselage aft of the nose gear, and ingestion of tire rubber in the number 1 engine inlet. Delta Airlines System Manager Flight Safety reported in part, "On arrival into LAX, the crew was cleared for an ILS 24R with about 18,000 pounds of fuel remaining. A go-around was required from short final due to failure of traffic ahead to clear the runway. On short final, [the] aircraft felt like it was sinking, but an instrument check indicated a stable approach. The Captain added additional throttle and back pressure to the controls. The aircraft touched down, the nose pitched up and the aircraft became airborne." The system manager also stated that, "The Captain added additional power and forward pressure to the controls to counter the nose pitch-up. The second touchdown was firm and during the rollout the aircraft vibrated, but was controlled with brakes and engine reversing." Delta Airlines did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane preceding the incident. Delta Airlines also reported that "training in last minute high sink rate situations and recovery techniques after a hard landing could prevent a similar occurrence." -