An EVA Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating flight BR711 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) on October 4, 2025, made contact with the runway during a go-around at Taoyuan. Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) has recently completed its administrative action over the occurrence, concluding that the captain and first officer did not operate in accordance with standard operating procedures. The captain was fined NT$120,000 and the first officer NT$60,000.
The aircraft involved was Boeing 787-9 B-17881, EVA Air's first 787 Dreamliner, which had undergone a cabin retrofit shortly before the occurrence. BR711 departed Shanghai Pudong at about 1:45 p.m. and approached Taoyuan's runway 05L at around 3:17 p.m. During a low-altitude go-around, the main landing gear briefly contacted the runway and the aircraft's tail also made contact with the runway surface before the jet climbed away again.
Occurrence information compiled by aviation safety publication The Aviation Herald indicates that B-17881 climbed to about 3,000 feet after the go-around, re-established its approach sequence, and landed again on runway 05L roughly 15 minutes later without further abnormal events. No injuries to passengers or crew were reported.
EVA Air said afterward that the captain noticed an abnormal aircraft message during the go-around and reported it to air traffic control and maintenance personnel after landing. Maintenance inspection found wear at the tip of the aircraft's tail-strike detection strip, prompting replacement of the relevant component and further checks. Boeing later confirmed that the aircraft's structure was not compromised, and B-17881 returned to service with CAA approval.
A tail strike occurs when the rear fuselage or a related protective device contacts the runway during takeoff, landing, or a go-around, often as a result of aircraft pitch attitude and other operational factors. Even when visible damage is limited, airlines must inspect the fuselage structure and related areas in accordance with maintenance procedures to confirm continued airworthiness.
Following its investigation, the CAA determined that the captain and first officer violated requirements under Article 20 of the Aircraft Flight Operation Regulations, which are prescribed pursuant to Article 41-1, Paragraph 2 of Taiwan's Civil Aviation Act. The recently published disposition shows that the captain was fined NT$120,000 and the first officer NT$60,000, with both ordered to make immediate corrective improvements.
One year has now passed since the occurrence. The aircraft itself had already returned to service after the tail-strike detection strip was replaced, inspections were completed, and structural integrity was confirmed. The latest administrative action concerns whether the flight crew's handling of the go-around complied with established standard operating procedures.
