UA 744 tail strike 7/5/10?

[Philip Argy]

Anyone else see this article this evening:

US-bound plane forced to land in Sydney


http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201004/r549897_3248464.jpg (http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201004/r549897_3248469.jpg)
The airline says all 220 passengers will be put on flights tomorrow. (Reuters: Eddie Keogh)


A plane bound for San Francisco has turned back for Sydney after reportedly experiencing problems during take off.
The United Airlines flight took off just before 2:45pm but returned 90 minutes later for maintenance checks.
The airline says all 220 passengers onboard have been provided with hotel accommodation and will be put on flights tomorrow.
A United spokeswoman would not confirm media reports that the Boeing 747-400 clipped its tail during takeoff.
"I can confirm that UA870 departed from Sydney at 2:45pm for San Francisco today and has returned to Sydney Airport for maintenance checks," she said.
"It landed without incident at 4:20pm. We've got no further information at this time."
Sydney Airport confirmed the plane had been forced to turn back but could not comment on the reason.

[Nigel C]

Philip, see here http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=5355

[Philip Argy]

Thanks Nigel - the thread title didn't quite give it away which is why I started this thread, but the photos at http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showpost.php?p=46344&postcount=5 seem to show main gear in the air and a high pitch up angle for a 744, although there could be an element of optical illusion in those particular shots.

Did you really find metal shavings on 34L after its departure?

Ceratinly the same event with a red tail might have generated a little more publicity I'd have thought.

Anyhow, this thread defers to the earlier one!

[Nigel C]

As per the other thread, the runway drops off relatively quickly after the hump in the middle, which may account for how 'steep' it looks in the picture.

The B747 has no tail skid.

Off to the other thread?