Definition
A tail strike is the contact of an airplane's tail or aft fuselage with the runway during takeoff or landing, typically caused by an excessive nose-up pitch attitude that rotates the tail downward into the surface.
Plain English
It is when the back end of the airplane scrapes or hits the runway because the nose was lifted too high during takeoff or landing.
Context Anchor
Most often discussed during landing flare and touchdown training, and also during takeoff rotation practice.
Why Pilots Care
A tail strike can damage the aircraft structure, trigger required inspections, and in severe cases affect control or safety.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane nose rising during the flare until the main wheels are still near the runway but the tail is low enough to touch first or scrape.
Intuition Check
A tail strike is not just any hard landing. It specifically means the tail or rear underside of the airplane contacted the runway or ground.
Example Sentence 1
He flared too aggressively in the gusty crosswind and came close to a tail strike before settling onto the mains.
Example Sentence 2
During takeoff in gusty winds the crew watched pitch attitude closely to avoid a tail strike at rotation.