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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 22, 1999 · Douglas DC3C-S4C4G · N79017

Charlotte, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Charlotte, NC
Aircraft
Douglas DC3C-S4C4G
Tail Number
N79017
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA248

Waiting on the ramp for taxi instructions, the copilot brought to the captain's attention that the gear lock handle was out of the down and locked position. The latch handle would not return to the mid-position. The captain then placed the gear handle in the down position to increase hydraulic pressure, and within 3 to 5 seconds the right main gear began to lower. The crew tried to shut the right engine down, but the gear collapsed before the engine stopped. Many attempts have been made by the NTSB and FAA to have Saber Cargo Airlines Inc., management personnel fill out the NTSB Form 6120. 1/2. Saber Cargo Airlines has not cooperated at all with the investigation, never returned the form 6120.1/2, and never got statements from their crew. The crew or the operator's account of the accident are not known.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command did not use the check list which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing.

Full Narrative

On July 22, 1999, about 1610 eastern daylight time, a Douglas DC3C-S4C4G, N79017, registered to Saber Cargo Airlines Inc., had a landing gear collapse while holding on a taxi ramp at the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an IFR flight plan was filed, but not opened, for the 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The two airline transport-rated pilots reported no injuries. The flight was preparing for departure to Greensboro, North Carolina, to pick up cargo. The crew told the FAA that while they were waiting on the ramp for taxi instructions, the copilot brought to the captain's attention that the gear lock handle was out of the down and locked position. The latch handle would not return to the mid-position. The captain then placed the gear handle in the down position to increase hydraulic pressure, and within 3 to 5 seconds the right main gear began to lower. The crew tried to shut the right engine down, but the gear collapsed before the engine stopped. The original notification of this accident reported the damage as minor. On September 9, 1999, the FAA reported that the damage to the airplane was substantial, after the right wing was disassembled, and additional wing spar damage was observed. Many attempts have been made by the NTSB and FAA to have Saber Cargo Airlines Inc., management personnel fill out the NTSB Form 6120. 1/2. Saber Cargo Airlines has not cooperated at all with the investigation, never returned the form 6120.1/2, and never obtained statements from their crew. The crew, or the operator's account of the accident are not known.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 EDT
Nearest AirportCharlotte/Douglas Intl (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC3C-S4C4G
Tail NumberN79017
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1830 · Reciprocating · 1350
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data