Grounded for a month: Wizz Air’s brand new Airbus A321XLR is still stuck in Prague after tailstrike incident
October 10, 2025
Wizz Air’s first Airbus A321XLR has been grounded in Prague for a month after suffering a tailstrike on landing. The aircraft, which was only delivered to the carrier in May of this year, is currently under repair at a locally-based MRO provider until its return to service.
The aircraft involved, registered G-XLRA, was largely being used by the carrier linking London Gatwick Airport (LGW) with Jeddah (JED) and Medina (MED) in Saudi Arabia. Wizz Air subsidiary Wizz Air UK launched both of these routes earlier in 2025 on the back of the A321XLR’s arrival into its fleet.
The carrier was also using the aircraft to operate flights between Gatwick and Prague’s Václav Havel International Airport (PRG) to complete its weekly flying schedule.
How Wizz Air’s Airbus A321XLR became stuck
According to data obtained from Flightradar24, the aircraft had departed Gatwick on 11 September at 11:13 local time as flight WUK5775 for Prague, having earlier arrived into London from Jeddah at 06:46.
With a flight time of around 90 minutes, the flight to Prague was due to land at 13:15 local time.
Meteorological data from Prague indicated that there was good visibility and no significant weather conditions, other than variable winds, at the time of the aircraft’s approach.
Wizz Air’s hard landing followed by a tailstrike
Videos posted on social media show the aircraft passing over the threshold of runway 24 at approximately 13:39. The aircraft then appears to suddenly drop down to the runway surface and bounce upon its first touchdown.
The aircraft’s nose then pitches upwards before the main landing gear touches down on the runway once more. However, with a steep nose-up attitude, the underside of the rear fuselage contacts the runway surface, evidenced by a large plume of dust and smoke.
According to a report published by the Aviation Herald, the aircraft rolled out without further incident and taxied to the apron under its own power, where the passengers disembarked normally.
There were no reports of any injuries to either passengers or crew on board. The subsequent flight back to Gatwick (WUK5776) was cancelled.
On 19 September, Czechia’s Investigation Institute (UZPLN) reported that the aircraft experienced a hard landing followed by a tailstrike and opened an investigation.
G-XLRA remains grounded
Since the incident on 11 September, the aircraft has remained in Prague undergoing repairs to its rear fuselage. Damage appears to be scraped paintwork on the area in question, although some evidence of structural damage in this area, particularly to the frames and stringers, can also be seen.
When approached for comment on the incident, a spokesperson for Wizz Air told Aerospace Global News,
“Following an event involving one of our Airbus A321XLR aircraft in Prague earlier this month, the aircraft is currently undergoing maintenance. All work is being carried out in full accordance with regulatory requirements and manufacturer protocols. We are working closely with all relevant parties and look forward to returning the aircraft to service in due course.”
The company tasked with repairing and returning the aircraft to service, CSA Technics at Prague Airport, declined to comment on the nature of the damage caused to the plane by the tailstrike or when it is likely to be serviceable again.
Damage to a nearly new Airbus A321XLR
According to ch-aviation, G-XLRA first flew on 18 March and was delivered with much fanfare to the airline on 19 May, with the carrier becoming the world’s third operator of the type after Iberia and Aer Lingus.
The airline also became the first low-cost operator of the type worldwide and now has two in its fleet. Wizz Air’s A321XLR aircraft are powered by a pair of Pratt and Whitney PW1000 engines.
The delivery of G-XLRA was marked by a ceremony at Airbus’ A320 Final Assembly Line in Hamburg, Germany, attended by officials from Airbus, RTX’s Pratt & Whitney, and Wizz Air.
Wizz Air’s A321XLRs have 239 seats in a single-class configuration featuring the newly designed Airspace cabin with an innovative lighting system and multiple settings to create differing cabin environments at various phases of flight.
The carrier has a total of 47 GTF-powered A321XLR aircraft on order.
Are A321 tailstrikes common?
According to the UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), tailstrikes on the A321XLR are more common than on the shorter A320, and mostly occur during the landing phase.
“The rate of tailstrike incidents per aircraft landing for the A321 is four times greater than that for the A320, probably as a result of the smaller margin from the normal flare attitude,” the AAIB says. “Damage to the structural integrity of the fuselage should not pose a significant flight risk to the aircraft, provided the tailstrike is detected during or after landing.”
