Eurowings Airbus A320 Tailstrike on Landing in Paderborn Causes Luggage Damage and Triggers Safety Review

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On May 22, 2025, a Eurowings Europe Malta Airbus A320-200 operating Flight EW-6838 from Palma de Mallorca to Paderborn experienced a tailstrike during a go-around maneuver, resulting in damage to the aircraft and reportedly to checked passenger luggage. The aircraft, registered as 9H-EUT, ultimately landed safely on a second approach at Paderborn Lippstadt Airport, and no injuries were reported. Emergency services responded, and the aircraft is now undergoing a technical inspection, as confirmed by Eurowings.

The incident, which occurred just after 16:17 local time, underscores the critical risks associated with go-around maneuvers, particularly in low-altitude, high-stress landing environments. It has drawn renewed attention to tailstrike trends globally, which remain one of the most commonly reported types of aviation incidents, especially during landing and go-around phases.

According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft was on final approach to Runway 24 at Paderborn when the flight crew initiated a go-around due to an unexpected loss of altitude. During this maneuver, the aircraft’s tail made contact with the runway surface, a situation classified as a tailstrike—a known hazard during go-around procedures.

Following the tailstrike, the aircraft climbed to 3,000 feet, then later to 5,000 feet, before circling back for a successful second approach and landing. Upon arrival, emergency teams were dispatched to meet the aircraft, which taxied safely to the stand under its own power.

In an official statement, Eurowings confirmed that the aircraft experienced a tailstrike during the go-around, attributed to a sudden altitude loss just before the initial touchdown. The airline noted that the aircraft is undergoing thorough technical inspection, as required by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. Checked luggage sustained damage due to the impact of the tailstrike, as confirmed by several passenger reports.

Passengers on board described a steep, rapid climb following the initial touchdown, indicating a potentially sharp nose-up pitch angle that could contribute to tail contact with the runway—a classic signature of tailstrike conditions.

The Airbus A320-200 is a narrow-body, twin-engine aircraft widely used for short and medium-haul routes. Key specifications include:

The aircraft involved, 9H-EUT, is operated under Eurowings Europe Malta, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Group. Maintenance and incident procedures for this aircraft type follow strict protocols outlined by EASA and the Federal Aviation Office of Germany (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt).

Tailstrikes are categorized under unstable approach incidents, often occurring during landing or aborted landings (go-arounds). According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its Global Aviation Data Management (GADM) platform:

While modern flight training includes simulated tailstrike prevention, the risk persists, especially under high workload conditions.

The IATA Safety Report emphasizes the importance of stabilized approach criteria, requiring pilots to maintain:

If any of these parameters are compromised—due to weather, ATC changes, or sudden turbulence—a go-around is the standard and safest response. However, as seen in the Eurowings case, tailstrikes may occur when the aircraft’s tail contacts the runway due to excessive nose-up pitch during the climb-out.

All incidents like these must be reported under EU Regulation 376/2014 to the European Coordination Centre for Accident and Incident Reporting Systems (ECCAIRS) and will be investigated accordingly.

The Eurowings event is part of a larger pattern of similar incidents observed in recent months:

An Airbus A321neo operating flight TK1771 from Istanbul to Prague experienced a tailstrike during a go-around at Václav Havel Airport. The aircraft climbed to 4,000 feet before returning for a safe landing. Inspections revealed minor fuselage damage.

An ATR 72-212A, landing during gusty winds at Guernsey Airport, made tail contact with the runway. Though it rolled out normally, later inspections found significant structural damage.

An Airbus A321neo arriving in Chennai from Mumbai experienced a tailstrike during landing. Notably, the same aircraft had suffered a previous tailstrike in 2024, raising maintenance and training concerns.

These incidents illustrate that tailstrike risks persist across aircraft types, geographies, and weather conditions.

Regulatory authorities, including EASA, FAA, and Germany’s Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, have reinforced tailstrike prevention strategies, which include:

The FAA’s Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid also highlights the risks of late go-arounds, particularly when aircraft are already close to the ground with unstable pitch dynamics.

While there were no injuries reported on flight EW-6838, passengers did experience luggage damage as a result of the tailstrike. Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and the Montreal Convention, passengers are entitled to compensation for damaged baggage, which should be claimed directly through Eurowings customer service within seven days of receipt.

The incident may also lead to temporary grounding of the aircraft pending inspection, in accordance with EASA Part-M maintenance regulations.

The tailstrike incident involving Eurowings Flight EW-6838 highlights the critical nature of go-around execution and the persistent risk of tailstrikes in modern aviation. While no injuries occurred and the aircraft landed safely on its second attempt, the incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in aircraft operations under rapidly changing conditions.

As regulators review the findings and Eurowings conducts a detailed inspection, the event contributes valuable data to global aviation safety databases and underscores the ongoing need for rigorous training and oversight.

Source: simpleflying