1995-02-18: Short Brothers SD3-60 — Executive Airlines Inc. — St. Thomas

Casualties unknown • St. Thomas, US

Probable cause

Inadequate application of sealant on the right main landing gear shock absorber cylinder nut, and inadequate quality control by the manufacturer.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The right main landing gear collapsed on landing rollout. Initial examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed the right main landing gear shock absorber had failed. Examination of the components by the NTSB laboratory revealed the manufacturer had not applied sealant on the internal surface of the cylinder nut in the radius area between the threads and the flange before the nut was assembled. This resulted in stress corrosion cracking of the cylinder nut, and subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-02-18 Short Brothers SD3-60 accident near St. Thomas?

The right main landing gear collapsed on landing rollout. Initial examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed the right main landing gear shock absorber had failed. Examination of the components by the NTSB laboratory revealed the manufacturer had not applied sealant on the internal surface of the cylinder nut in…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-02-18 involved a Short Brothers SD3-60, registration N376MQ, operated by Executive Airlines Inc., at St. Thomas.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Inadequate application of sealant on the right main landing gear shock absorber cylinder nut, and inadequate quality control by the manufacturer.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03012. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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