On December 29, 1983, a Boeing 707-123B (registration N2773) operated by American Trans Air, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Oakland, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The nose gear towing and steering connecting link was disconnected from the nose steering collar, with the steering quick release pin installed in the disconnected link, preventing continuity between cockpit steering and the nose wheels, which were allowed… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The aircraft experienced strong shimmy and vibration during takeoff, attributed to deep snow ruts. After landing, severe vibration forced the pilot to stop on the runway centerline and order evacuation. Investigators found the nose gear steering connecting link was disconnected.
Incident
The aircraft experienced pronounced shimmy and vibration during the initial phase of takeoff. These oscillations were attributed to deep ruts present in the snow on the runway surface. Following landing, as the aircraft decelerated, the vibrations intensified to such a degree that the pilot brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway centerline and directed the occupants to evacuate.
Investigation
An examination of the aircraft after the event revealed that the nose gear towing and steering connecting link had become detached from the nose steering collar. Additionally, the steering quick release pin remained installed in the disconnected link. This condition resulted in a loss of mechanical continuity between the cockpit steering controls and the nose wheels, allowing the nose wheels to move freely without directional control from the pilot.
Probable cause
The nose gear towing and steering connecting link was disconnected from the nose steering collar, with the steering quick release pin installed in the disconnected link, preventing continuity between cockpit steering and the nose wheels, which were allowed free play.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…
