A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Airbus A321neo was grounded at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) on Tuesday after suffering a tail strike during its landing sequence.
LISBON — The incident occurred on June 16, 2026, involving flight KL1583, a regularly scheduled commercial service from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Lisbon.
According to preliminary flight data and airport reports, the aircraft (an Airbus A321-252NX registered as PH-AXB) was landing on Lisbon’s Runway 02 when its aft fuselage made contact with the tarmac.
Aircraft Grounded for Inspection
While no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew, the aircraft sustained visible damage to its empennage (the tail assembly) area.
Following the rough landing, the jet was able to taxi to the apron under its own power, where passengers deplaned normally. However, standard safety protocols dictated an immediate grounding. The next leg of the aircraft’s schedule, the return flight to Amsterdam, was subsequently canceled.
What is a Tail Strike?
A tail strike occurs when the rear fuselage of an aircraft strikes the runway during takeoff or landing. While modern aircraft are designed to withstand certain ground contact forces, structural inspections are mandatory to ensure the integrity of the pressure bulkhead.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Airbus A321neo involved is a relatively new addition to the KLM fleet, part of the airline’s ongoing modernization push to replace older narrowbody jets with more fuel-efficient models.
A team of KLM engineers and local maintenance crews at LIS are currently conducting a thorough damage assessment. The aircraft will remain in Lisbon until necessary repairs are completed and it is officially cleared by aviation authorities to return to commercial service.
The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) and Portuguese aviation accident prevention authorities (GPIAAF) are expected to review the flight data recorders to determine the exact contributing factors—such as weather conditions, wind shear, or pilot inputs—that led to the incident.
