During the peak season of the summer flight schedule, Marabu Airlines, a partner of Condor, suffered a severe blow: one of the airline's Airbus A320s suffered a so-called tailstrike when landing at Munich Airport. This event caused the aircraft to touch down on the runway with its tail, causing considerable damage and leading to several weeks of repairs in Sofia.
The incident occurred on June 27, 2024, when flight Marabu 6023 from Hurghada landed in Munich. During landing, a tailstrike occurred, causing the tail of the aircraft to touch the runway. This event is particularly critical as it can cause structural damage to the fuselage. In this case, the damage was so significant that the Airbus A320 with the registration ES-MBC had to be taken out of service.
After the incident, the aircraft was initially parked at Munich Airport and later, on July 23, 2024, flown to Sofia for extensive repairs. This delay and the failure of an aircraft are particularly serious during the peak season, as airlines rely on maximum availability of their fleet during this time.
The Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) has begun investigating the incident. A detailed analysis is intended to clarify how the tailstrike could have occurred. Such investigations are crucial to further improving safety standards in aviation and preventing similar incidents in the future. Tailstrikes can have various causes, including pilot error, technical problems or unfavorable weather conditions.
Impact on flight operations
The failure of ES-MBC poses significant challenges for Marabu Airlines. During peak season, when demand for flights is particularly high, the loss of an aircraft has a major impact on the flight schedule. Marabu had to take immediate action to compensate for the failure. This could mean leasing replacement aircraft, making changes to the flight schedule or even cancelling certain flights.
Tailstrikes are serious incidents that can not only result in high repair costs but also pose a potential danger to passengers and crew. The aviation industry has therefore implemented strict protocols and training to prevent such incidents. This includes training for pilots to ensure that landings are performed correctly and safely, as well as regular maintenance and inspection of aircraft.
Aviation experts stress the importance of thorough investigations and the implementation of safety measures. "Every incident, especially a tailstrike, is an opportunity to review and improve safety protocols," says Dr. Peter Müller, a renowned aviation expert. "The results of the BFU investigation will help to understand the causes and prevent future incidents."
Review and future
Marabu Airlines, as a relatively new airline, is under special scrutiny following this incident. The airline must now ensure that it reviews and, where necessary, improves its safety protocols, while also addressing the operational challenges created by the failure of ES-MBC.
There have been similar incidents in the past that have led to sweeping changes in aviation. For example, a tailstrike by another aircraft several years ago led to improved pilot training programs and changes in operating procedures.
The ES-MBC tailstrike is a serious incident that poses major challenges for the airline concerned, Marabu Airlines. The ongoing investigations by the BFU will be crucial to determine the exact causes and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to improve safety. At the same time, Marabu Airlines must find ways to compensate for the operational failure and keep the impact on the flight schedule as low as possible.