NewsStocksUAE Investigation Flags Crew Resource Management Lapses in Air India Express Tail-Strike IncidentUAE Investigation Flags Crew Resource Management Lapses in Air India Express Tail-Strike Incident
UAE's aircraft accident investigation agency identified crew resource management breakdown as key factor in Air India Express tail-strike incident on April 22, 2025, at Ras Al Khaimah airport. The Boeing 737-800 flight IX331 from Calicut carried 174 people with no injuries reported and minor aircraft damage. Investigation found commander assumed control without standard pilot communication callouts, resulting in poor coordination and compromised landing execution. UAE recommends DGCA enhance regulatory oversight for stabilized approaches and Air India Express strengthen crew training protocols.
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The UAE's aircraft accident investigation agency has identified significant crew resource management deficiencies in the Air India Express tail-strike incident that occurred at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport on April 22, 2025. The investigation findings highlight critical lapses in pilot coordination and communication protocols that contributed to the aviation incident.
Incident Details
The Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating flight IX331 from Calicut in Kerala suffered a tail strike while landing at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. The aircraft carried 174 people on board, including 4 cabin crew members. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the aircraft sustained only minor damage during the incident.
| Parameter: | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight Number: | IX331 |
| Aircraft Type: | Boeing 737-800 |
| Route: | Calicut to Ras Al Khaimah |
| Date: | April 22, 2025 |
| Total Occupants: | 174 people |
| Cabin Crew: | 4 members |
| Injuries: | None reported |
| Aircraft Damage: | Minor |
Investigation Findings
The Air Accident Investigation Sector of the United Arab Emirates issued its summary report last month, identifying a breakdown in Crew Resource Management (CRM) as a primary contributing factor. The investigation revealed that the commander assumed control at low altitude without following standard Pilot Flying (PF) and Pilot Monitoring (PM) transfer of control callouts.
According to the probe agency, this deviation from standard procedures resulted in poor coordination between crew members, which adversely affected the execution of a stabilized approach and appropriate flare maneuver during landing. The incident demonstrated multiple operational deficiencies including:
- Inadequate adherence to stabilized approach criteria
- Poor energy management during landing phase
- Insufficient bounce recovery techniques
- Breakdown in crew resource management protocols
Regulatory Recommendations
The UAE investigation has issued comprehensive recommendations targeting both regulatory oversight and airline operational procedures. The probe agency recommends that India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) review and enhance regulatory oversight to ensure operators emphasize critical safety protocols.
| Recommendation Target: | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| DGCA Oversight: | Stabilized approach criteria emphasis |
| Energy Management: | Precise control during landing phase |
| Training Requirements: | Bounce recovery techniques |
| Operational Procedures: | Enhanced safety protocols |
The investigation specifically calls for operators to focus on stabilized approach criteria, precise energy management during landing, and proper bounce recovery techniques in both training and operational procedures.
Air India Express Action Items
The investigation has directed Air India Express to implement specific improvements in crew training and operational procedures. The airline must reinforce adherence to stabilized-approach criteria and energy management standards during landing operations with flight crews.
Additionally, Air India Express should enhance training on bounce recognition and recovery procedures, including establishing mandatory go-around decision points. The investigation emphasizes strengthening CRM training to ensure standard PF/PM transfer of control callouts are consistently applied across all flight operations.
The breakdown in crew resource management contributed to inadequate flare inputs and inconsistent control actions during the critical landing phase. The investigation findings underscore the importance of maintaining strict adherence to established communication protocols and coordination procedures, particularly during high-workload phases of flight operations.
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