Boeing 777 tail strikes runway during takeoff in Cincinnati

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · July 23, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn

Voice reading · ~1 min

Last week, a Boeing 777-300ER cargo freighter operated by Kalitta Air had a hair-raising incident: the aircraft's tail scraped the runway during takeoff at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. It happened on July 23, as reported by Arecoa. Luckily, the crew continued the climb and the plane landed safely. But the scare is real.

For those of us in travel and aviation, this kind of close call is a reminder that runway safety is non-negotiable. A tail strike can be caused by an excessive pitch angle, miscalculated weight, or a gust of wind. The good news is the FAA is already investigating, and Kalitta Air has a solid track record in cargo. Heads up: the 777-300ER is a workhorse on long hauls, but on heavy takeoffs you have to nail the numbers.

My take: beyond the scare, this is a wake-up call for the whole industry. In the Dominican Republic, where air cargo and passenger traffic keeps booming, each incident is a lesson. Let it serve to tighten protocols, not to panic. Aviation remains the safest mode of transport, and incidents like this, properly investigated, make us better.

Quick questions

What exactly happened in Cincinnati?

A Kalitta Air Boeing 777-300ER cargo plane scraped its tail on the runway during takeoff. It continued flying and landed safely.

Were there any injuries?

No. The crew was unharmed and the aircraft landed without further issues. No injuries reported.

Why do tail strikes happen?

A tail strike usually occurs when the aircraft's pitch angle is too high during takeoff, due to weight miscalculation, wind, or pilot technique.

Does this affect commercial flights?

Not directly. It was a cargo flight. But the FAA investigation will yield lessons for all aviation.

Is it safe to fly on a Boeing 777?

Yes. The 777 is one of the safest aircraft ever built. Isolated incidents like this are investigated to further improve safety standards.

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