Tailstrike is an aviation term that describes an event in which the rear end of an aircraft touches (strikes) the runway. This can happen during takeoff of a fixed-wing aircraft if the pilot pulls up too rapidly, leading to the rear end of the fuselage touching the runway. It can also occur during landing if the pilot flares too aggressively. This is often the result of an attempt to land nearer to the runway threshold.
A tailstrike is physically possible only on an aircraft with tricycle landing gear; with a tail dragger configuration, the tail is already on the ground. Some aircraft, which require a high angle of attack on takeoff, are fitted with small tailwheels to prevent tailstrikes. Examples include the Concorde and Saab Draken. Some aircraft, such as the Diamond Aircraft Industries Diamond DA20, have a permanent skid installed to protect the airframe in the event of a tailstrike. Others may be fitted with a temporary skid as tailstrikes are sometimes purposefully carried out during the certification of new aircraft.
Tailstrike incidents rarely cause significant damage or cause danger, but may cause financial losses as the planes have to be thoroughly inspected and repaired.
However, improper repair to the damaged airframe after tailstrikes accidents may be responsible for fatal accidents that occur years later (including the worst single-aircraft accident as of 2010, the accident involving the Japan Airlines Flight 123) due to structural failure of the airframe at the site of the tailstrike after repeated cycles of pressurization and depressurization at the weak point of improper repair.
Tailstrike on takeoff:
Cases of improper repair after a tailstrike causing fatal structural failure in flight years after the tailstrike: