Pilot Error Leads to Boeing 787 Tailstrike at Houston Airport

An All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner suffered damage to its tail when it struck the runway during landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on February 27, 2026.

The incident occurred after the captain inadvertently engaged a go-around switch immediately following main gear touchdown, causing the nose of the plane to pitch upward abruptly.

The automated flight system rapidly increased the pitch attitude to 7.9 degrees while the main wheels remained firmly on the pavement.

Fortunately, both pilots quickly disconnected the autopilot system and regained manual control over the aircraft, safely lowering it back onto the runway surface and completing the landing roll without further complications.