A hard landing isn't supposed to break a commercial airliner apart right?

Question

A Chinese-made commercial airliner (I forgot which one) recently in two (behind the wings I think) during a hard landing. All onboard survived. As far as I know, a hard landing shouldn't break a commercial airliner apart. Is it actually possible that that airliner broke solely because of that hard landing?

? · Accepted Answer

Notice there is a subtle difference between a "hard landing" and stalling at runway threshold and slamming the ground.

All aircraft are certified to a touchdown vertical speed and usually you can get away with a really hard, firm bash which is sometimes preferred and recommended, if runway is short and wet for example. Trying to "float" and do a "softish" landing can get you off the runway end (happens a lot more than you think or hear about).

I have no clue about "Xi'an Aircraft" but I wouldn't blame the manufacturer (yet).

RGTIII · Answer

It depends on how hard the landing was. A "hard landing" shouldn't break the aircraft apart, however, the airframes have structural limitations. I've seen photos of a Lufthansa B747 broken aft of the wings because the jacks under the wings depressurized.

flyingtiggeruk · Answer

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American made can break if the landing is heavy enough, link 1.

But to answer the question, yes a heavy landing can cause considerable damage.

I expect the incident you're talking about is in link 2 which has all the details.

Zack · Answer

If it is really, really hard (rare), yes, they can break.

A chinese aircraft is much more likely to break though. Same thing for everything else made in china (motorcycles for example).

Irv S · Answer

'Hard landing" covers a lot of territory, anywhere from an unusually hard thump 
to just short of a crash.
That said, commercial aircraft are not supposed to make hard landings.

A hard landing isn't supposed to break a commercial airliner apart right?

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