On Apr 5th 2026, a Frontier Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration N413FR, operating flight F9-1690 from Tampa to Trenton, experienced a challenging approach sequence that ended with a tail strike during landing.
As the aircraft approached runway 06 in Trenton, the crew initiated a go-around from final approach for reasons not specified. After repositioning for another attempt, the aircraft descended again but executed a second go-around from very low altitude, indicating continued instability or safety concerns during the approach.
Following the second missed approach, the aircraft climbed to about 4,000 feet and entered a holding pattern, giving the crew time to reassess conditions and prepare for a third landing attempt.
Approximately 55 minutes after the second go-around, the aircraft returned for another approach and successfully landed on runway 06. However, during the landing, the aircraft sustained a tail strike—where the rear underside of the fuselage makes contact with the runway.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft experienced the tail strike upon touchdown. There were no reports of injuries.
As a result of the incident, the scheduled return flight was cancelled. The aircraft remained on the ground in Trenton for about 26 hours following the landing while inspections and necessary maintenance were carried out.
Tail strikes, while relatively uncommon, can occur during hard or improperly pitched landings and require thorough inspection before an aircraft can safely return to service.
