On January 21, 2024, an Air France Airbus A350 experienced a tail strike while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Operating flight AF356 from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), the Airbus A350-900 encountered the incident during its landing phase. As it approached Runway 24L, the aircraft bounced upon touchdown, causing its tail assembly to contact the runway.

After the tail strike, the crew executed a go-around maneuver and prepared for another landing on Runway 24L, successfully landing on the second attempt without further issues.

There were no injuries reported among the passengers and crew during the initial landing attempt. However, the aircraft did sustain damage to its fuselage. Photos taken by a witness illustrate the damage to the aircraft’s tailplane assembly caused by the impact during the bounced landing.

The aircraft implicated in the landing mishap was a two-year-old Airbus A350-900, bearing the registration F-HTYH. This widebody aircraft is part of the fleet of Air France, the national airline of France.

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