The transport safety watchdog will look at the training, experience and fatigue of Virgin Australia staff working on a plane that was badly damaged during landing as part of its ongoing investigation into the November 19 incident.
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A preliminary report into the hard landing of the flight travelling from Sydney to Canberra found the plane was about to touch down when it encountered turbulence and changing wind conditions.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau wrote the flight's first officer, who was flying the plane, successfully decreased speed by reducing power to a near idle, but the descent rate "increased significantly".
The captain, who was monitoring the flight, twice called for an increase in power and then for a go-around during the final 50 feet of descent, the report said. The first officer responded by increasing power about the same time the plane touched down.
The plane landed heavily on its main landing gear and rear fuselage, causing what was later found to be impact and abrasion damage to the underside of the fuselage and tail skid.
Finding the aircraft under control, the captain cancelled the go-around, took control of the plane and taxied to the gate without further incident.
No injuries were recorded but the aircraft suffered "substantial damage".
The flight was carrying the captain, first officer, a check captain, two cabin crew and 67 passengers, according to the bureau.
The check captain was observing the captain and first officer as part of scheduled checks. The flight was the fourth and final flight of the day.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's investigation into the November incident will continue until at least October this year, with the agency to turn its attentions to the flight crew, weather conditions, aircraft loading, recorded flight data, damage and "related occurrences".
The flight crew said they regularly experienced turbulence at all stages of approach and landing at Canberra Airport, according to the initial investigation.
The preliminary report did not include any findings or analysis.
"Readers are cautioned that new evidence will become available as the investigation progresses that will enhance the ATSB's understanding of the accident as outlined in this web update," the bureau wrote.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the company was cooperating with the bureau on its investigation.
"The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority," the spokesperson said.
The plane, an ATR 72-212A, has been taken to Brisbane for maintenance.
