TUI Airways flight returns to Manchester ‘in emergency mode’ after tail strike

A TUI Airways pilot had to burn fuel and return to Manchester Airport in emergency mode after the aircraft’s tail hit the runway during take-off.

Fully-booked flight BY2384 to Fuerteventura was taking off half an hour late at 08:39 on 9 March when the tail contacted the runway surface. The incident on the Boeing 737-800 registered G-TAWY meant the crew had to stop the climb at 10,000ft, burn off fuel by flying around the Lake District, before returning to Manchester for a safe landing 45 minutes after departure.

The aircraft landed safely and passengers boarded a new aircraft (another Boeing 737-800 registered G-TAWU) around seven hours later.

The original plane remained on the ground at Manchester for three days before operating a flight to Chambéry.

A spokeswoman from TUI said: “Flight TOM2384 from Manchester to Fuerteventura conducted a precautionary return landing after experiencing a technical issue.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority and everyone was safely disembarked. We would like to apologise to those customers affected and thank them for their patience and understanding.”

Source: Manchester Evening Standard, Mirror, Flightradar24