A Qatar Airways Airbus A350 experienced a tailstrike incident at Islamabad International Airport (ISB) in Pakistan, resulting in damage to the aft fuselage. The A350-900, registered as A7-ALN, was flying from Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) to ISB on April 16, 2023, as flight QR614 when the incident occurred during landing. Thankfully, the wide-body aircraft managed to land safely at ISB after performing a go-around.
Details of the Incident
According to data from flightradar24.com, the Airbus A350-900 initially touched down at ISB at 7:47 AM local time (UTC +5), but the flight crew quickly initiated a go-around and attempted another landing. During the second approach, the Qatar Airlines aircraft reached a peak altitude of 5,075 feet (1,546 meters) before finally landing at ISB at 8:00 AM local time (UTC +5).
The aircraft has remained at ISB since the incident, and two return journeys from the Pakistani city to DOH on flight QR615, scheduled for April 16 and April 17, 2023, have been canceled as per flightradar24.com data.
On April 16, 2023, the return journey was supposed to be operated by the aircraft involved in the incident, while on April 17, 2023, it was scheduled to be operated by one of the airline’s Boeing 787-8s. Qatar Airways’ other flight to Doha, flight QR633, departed ISB on a Boeing 777-300, registered as A7-BAZ, on April 17, 2023.
The A350’s History and Qatar Airways’ Response
The flag carrier of Qatar took delivery of the Airbus A350-900 on February 27, 2017, and has since utilized the wide-body jet extensively. As of January 31, 2023, it has accumulated a total of 29,086 flight hours (FH) and 4,412 flight cycles (FC), according to data from ch-aviation.com.
In a statement, a Qatar Airways spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating, “Qatar Airways can confirm that flight QR614, an Airbus A350-900 operating from Doha, Qatar to Islamabad, Pakistan, performed a go-around before landing safely shortly afterward on Sunday, 16 April.” They added that the aircraft is currently being inspected for a potential tailstrike and that a delay to the return flight is expected while these checks are performed.
The spokesperson apologized to customers for the delay, assuring them that they are being provided with hotel accommodations and will be rebooked onto flights to Doha at the earliest opportunity. They concluded by emphasizing that the safety of the crew and passengers remains Qatar Airways’ top priority.
The Importance of Aircraft Safety
Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict safety standards in the aviation industry. It is crucial for airlines to prioritize the well-being of their passengers and crew, ensuring that all necessary inspections and repairs are carried out promptly and efficiently. By doing so, they can help to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure that air travel remains a safe and reliable mode of transportation for everyone.
Source: Aerotime
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