B747-400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Maintenance Action
Procedure
We were on the ILS [approach]. Weather conditions were variable winds. Approach was normal and stable. Landing was hard due to insufficient flare by the First Officer. The firm landing resulted in a bounce back in the air; after which I took the aircraft from the First Officer and recovered the landing. A go-around was not performed due to our very low proximity to the runway; the aircraft being in a good position for a second proper touchdown; and in my opinion a go-around could have resulted in a possibly worse outcome than a full landing.
Arrival and approach were in accordance with company SOP. A 'hard landing' was experienced upon touchdown.
B747 flight crew reported a hard landing; resulting from insufficient flare; caused the inertia escape reels to dislodge from their housings.