A DHL Airbus A300-600F, registration D-AEAG, sustained a tailstrike while attempting to land at London Heathrow Airport.

Initial analysis of the landing footage suggests that the approach and flare appeared stable. However, at approximately 40 feet above ground level, a gust of wind appears to have destabilised the aircraft, causing the left main gear to contact the runway first. The crew quickly corrected to the right, but the aircraft subsequently entered a dynamic pitch oscillation.

At the time of touchdown, engine thrust had been reduced and spoilers were deployed. It appears the crew attempted to arrest a potentially hard nose gear impact by pitching up sharply, as indicated by the elevators being in a full-up position. This resulted in a pronounced nose-up attitude, leading to the tailstrike.

The high pitch angle at touchdown and the aircraft’s delayed acceleration suggest the crew may have considered initiating a go-around, but were constrained by engine spool-up time.

Despite the dramatic sequence, the aircraft completed the landing rollout safely. An investigation into the incident is likely to follow.