The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that “improper control column inputs” by the first officer were the primary cause of a hard landing by a United Airlines Boeing 767-300 at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport in 2023. The incident, which resulted in significant damage to the aircraft’s fuselage, occurred when the aircraft landed with excessive force.
According to the NTSB’s investigation, the first officer made improper control inputs during the final stages of the landing, which led to the aircraft hitting the runway much harder than intended. This caused the fuselage to sustain serious structural damage, though fortunately, none of the 200 passengers and crew aboard were seriously injured.
The NTSB report indicates that the crew was operating under challenging conditions, with crosswinds and poor visibility complicating the landing. However, the investigation concluded that the improper control inputs contributed directly to the hard landing and the resulting damage. The first officer’s actions were identified as the key factor, despite the aircraft’s advanced safety systems being in place.
Following the incident, United Airlines cooperated with the NTSB’s investigation and implemented additional training measures for its flight crews. The airline also reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety protocols are followed rigorously, including providing enhanced training to avoid such errors in the future.
This incident underscores the critical importance of pilot training and adherence to proper control inputs, especially under challenging weather conditions. While the aircraft was significantly damaged, the prompt response and adherence to emergency protocols ensured the safety of everyone on board. The NTSB’s findings are expected to lead to more focused training and safety reviews within United Airlines and across the aviation industry to prevent similar occurrences.
