Aircraft Tail Strike Events during Take-off Phase: A Risk Evaluation Model

Abstract

A risk evaluation model for tail strike events during the take-off phase on commercial aircraft was developed to improve the level of risk management of aircraft tail strike events. The currently used risk evaluation method was revised in this paper. The routine flight quality monitoring projects, which are the primary factors affecting tail strike events during the take-off phase, were selected as evaluation indices, and a tail strike evaluation index system was proposed. The weight of the index was determined using an analytic hierarchy process, and the corresponding coefficients were set for different grades of exceedance events to revise the severity level of the risk of a tail strike. The exceedance events rate was the frequency of occurrence. A risk evaluation model of tail strike aircraft during the take-off phase was established. The risk of aircraft tail strike was calculated using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods and the risk grade and main risk factors affecting the aircraft tail strike risk were determined. Specific measures were taken to reduce the risk of tail strike, therefore, comprehensive monitoring and prevention of tail strike risk of an aircraft during the take-off phase was achieved. In this study, the model was tested using an example analysis of the flight quality monitoring events of an airline's B737 fleet in 2017. It was found that the risk of a tail strike event was significantly affected by the high pitch at liftoff, high pitch rate of rotation, high speed at rotation and high speed at liftoff.