Landing Gear Collapse During Nighttime Approach in Snow

Casualties unknown • Beckley, WV, US

An aircraft experienced a landing gear collapse after touching down on an unplowed section of the runway during a night approach in snowy conditions.

What happened

During a nighttime approach in conditions involving snow, drizzle, and a right quartering tailwind, the captain initiated an ILS Runway 19 approach after verifying that the weather was above landing minimums. Data from the cockpit voice recorder and pilot interviews indicated that the approach lights were visible before the aircraft reached the decision height.

The crew reported that the aircraft touched down slightly left of the centerline. Upon touchdown, the pilots lost sight of the runway edge lights. The aircraft made contact with an unplowed portion of the partially plowed runway, approximately 60 feet to the left of the centerline. Following this contact, the landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to slide to a stop. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilots were not injured.

Findings

Investigation into the runway conditions revealed that while the crew had checked NOTAMs and was aware that 130 feet of the 150-foot wide runway had been plowed, the NOTAM failed to specify that the plowing was not centered. Additionally, two-foot snow banks at the edges of the runway were noted to be slightly higher than the runway edge lights.

Probable cause

The landing gear collapsed because the aircraft touched down on an unplowed section of the runway that had not been properly identified in the NOTAM.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-03-18 British Aerospace BAE 3101 accident near Beckley, WV?

An aircraft experienced a landing gear collapse after touching down on an unplowed section of the runway during a night approach in snowy conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-03-18 involved a British Aerospace BAE 3101, registration N159PC, operated by Usair Express, at Beckley, WV.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The landing gear collapsed because the aircraft touched down on an unplowed section of the runway that had not been properly identified in the NOTAM.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11912. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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