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NTSB Report

June 9, 2005 · Saab-Scania Ab Saab 340A · N40SZ

Dulles, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
June 9, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (30 uninjured)
Location
Dulles, VA
Aircraft
Saab-Scania Ab Saab 340A
Tail Number
N40SZ
Operator
Shuttle America
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC05IA093

During the approach, the flightcrew was unable to get the right main landing gear extended and locked. After several attempts, while conferring with the checklist and company personnel, the flightcrew performed an emergency landing with the unsafe landing gear indication. During the landing, the right main landing gear slowly collapsed, and the airplane came to rest off the right side of the runway. Examination of the right main landing gear revealed that the retract actuator fitting was secured with two fasteners, a smaller bolt, and a larger bolt. The nut and cotter key were not recovered with the smaller bolt, and 8 of the 12 threads on the smaller bolt were stripped consistent with an overstress pulling of the nut away from the bolt. The larger bolt was bent and separated near the head, consistent with a tension and overstress separation as a result of the smaller bolt failure. The overstress failures were consistent with the right main landing gear not being locked in the extended position when aircraft weight was applied; however, examination of the right main landing gear down lock system could not determine any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Further, the right main landing gear retract actuator was tomography scanned, and no anomalies were noted. The unit was then functionally tested at the manufacturer's facility, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The unit tested successfully, with no anomalies noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the right main landing gear to extend and lock for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing during touchdown.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 2005, at 2137 eastern daylight time, a Saab 340A, N40SZ, operated by Shuttle America Corp. as United Express flight 7564, sustained minor damage during an emergency landing at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. There were no injuries to the 3 crewmembers and 27 passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, New York. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the air carrier flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the captain, the airplane was approaching IAD when the flightcrew attempted to extend the landing gear. A yellow transit light cockpit indication was observed, which alerted the flightcrew that the right main landing gear had not fully extended and locked. After "recycling" the landing gear, the flightcrew noted the same anomaly. The flightcrew advised air traffic control (ATC) of the problem, performed a missed approach, and climbed to 3,000 feet over the airport. While circling the airport, the flightcrew performed all relevant checklists in the quick reference handbook (QRH); however, they could not correct the anomaly. In addition, the flightcrew performed a low pass over the airport. Ground personnel observed the gear extended, but could not confirm that it was locked in the fully extended position. The flightcrew also contacted their company twice to discuss the problem. The decision was made to perform an emergency landing with the unsafe landing gear indication. After completing the emergency checklist items in the QRH, the flightcrew performed an emergency landing on runway 19L. During the landing, the right main landing gear slowly collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in a grassy area off the right side of the runway. An emergency evacuation of the airplane was performed successfully, and no serious injuries were reported. The airplane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), which were forwarded to the Safety Board's vehicle recorders laboratory for readout. Data on the recorders confirmed the captain's statement. Components of the right main landing gear were examined at the Safety Board's materials laboratory. The right main landing gear retract actuator fitting was secured with two fasteners, a smaller bolt (part number AIR 134736) and a larger bolt (part number AIR 124792). The nut and cotter key were not recovered with the smaller bolt, and 8 of the 12 threads on the smaller bolt were stripped consistent with an overstress pulling of the nut away from the bolt. The larger bolt was bent and separated near the head, consistent with a tension and overstress separation as a result of the smaller bolt failure. The overstress failures were consistent with the right main landing gear not locked in the extended position while aircraft weight was applied to it; however, examination of the right main landing gear down lock system could not determine any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Further, the right main landing gear retract actuator was subjected to x-ray computed tomography (CT) and digital scanning under the direction of the Safety Board. The CT scan did not reveal any anomalies with the actuator. The unit was then functionally tested at the manufacturer's facility, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The unit tested successfully, with no anomalies noted. The airplane was maintained under a continuous airworthiness maintenance program, and had accumulated about 164 hours of operation since its last inspection, which was performed on April 30, 2005.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time21:37 EDT
Nearest AirportWashington Dulles Internationa (0nm)
Runway19L
Runway Length11500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSaab-Scania Ab Saab 340A
Tail NumberN40SZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorShuttle America
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGeneral Electric · CT75A2 · Turboprop · 1735 | General Electric · CT75A2 · Turboprop · 1735

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (30 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured30
Total30
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 32 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind200° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time01:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data