Why do some landings feel so hard?

In this article · 6 sections

The short answer
Sometimes firm is the goal
The gear is built for far more
The roar and the push forward
If landings are the hard part for you
Keep reading

The short answer

A firm landing usually means one of two things: the runway was wet and the pilots put the airplane down firmly on purpose, or it simply landed a bit more positively than usual. Neither is a sign of danger. Airliner landing gear is designed and tested for touchdowns far harder than anything that feels merely "bumpy" from your seat.^3,4

Sometimes firm is the goal

On a wet runway, a gentle "greaser" landing isn't what pilots are after. Flight Safety Foundation guidance for airline crews says that on wet or contaminated runways the crew should conduct a firm touchdown, because a firm touchdown reduces the chance of the tires skimming on water as they meet the runway.¹

There's a second reason. When the wheels start turning, that rotation tells several airplane systems that it's on the ground: the spoilers that pop up on the wings, the autobrakes and the anti-skid system. The Flight Safety Foundation's crosswind guidance says a firm touchdown should be made on a contaminated runway to make sure the wheels rotate.² A firm arrival helps all of that switch on promptly.

So if it's raining and the landing makes your teeth click, there's a good chance the pilot did exactly what they're trained to do.

The gear is built for far more

US certification rules for airliners require the landing loads to be worked out for a touchdown with the airplane sinking at 10 feet per second at its design landing weight.³ That's a very hard arrival, much firmer than a normal landing. On top of that, the gear must survive a reserve energy test simulating 12 feet per second without failing.⁴

In other words, the "thump" you felt is being soaked up by gear that was designed and proven well beyond it.

The roar and the push forward

Right after touchdown, a lot happens at once:

The roar. That's reverse thrust, which redirects engine power forward to help slow down. Safety guidance tells crews to use it as soon as possible after touchdown, because it works best at high speed.¹ It's supposed to be loud.
Panels rising on the wings. Those are the spoilers (also called speed brakes). They dump the wing's lift so the airplane's weight settles onto the wheels and the brakes can do their job.¹
The push into your belt. Brakes, spoilers and reverse thrust are all slowing the airplane together. You feel it as a firm lean forward, then it eases as the airplane slows to taxi speed.
The nose coming down. Pilots lower the nosewheel without delay, which puts more weight on the wheels.¹ That can be a second, smaller bump.

If landings are the hard part for you

It helps to know the order: thump, roar, push forward, then calm as the airplane slows and turns off the runway. Try breathing out slowly as the wheels touch, and keep your feet flat on the floor. The in-flight pack has a breathing exercise you can use on the way down.

Keep reading

Quick answers

Was a hard landing a bad landing?

Not necessarily. On a wet or slippery runway, safety guidance for airline pilots says to make a firm touchdown on purpose, because it helps the tires grip and the wheels spin up straight away.

Can a hard landing damage the plane?

Airliner landing gear has to be designed for touchdowns far firmer than a normal landing, and tested beyond that. A landing that feels firm in the cabin is normally well inside what the gear is built to absorb.

Why do the engines roar right after landing?

That's reverse thrust, which redirects engine power forward to help slow the airplane. It's most effective at high speed, so pilots use it just after touchdown.

Why did I get pushed forward after touching down?

The brakes, spoilers on the wings and reverse thrust are all slowing the airplane at once. Your body wants to keep going, so you feel it in your seat belt.

Sources

(4)

Facts last checked against these sources: October 23, 2026.