Introduction
On 15 September 2010, a scheduled flight operated by Widerøe Flyveselskap AS experienced a hard landing at Sandnessjøen Airport Stokka (ENST) in Norway. The aircraft, a Bombardier DHC-8-103 registered as LN-WIF, sustained a collapsed right main landing gear. All seven occupants—two pilots, two cabin crew, and three passengers—were uninjured.
Flight and Crew
The flight, designated WIF701, originated from Bodø Airport (ENBO) and was a routine early-morning service. The pilot in command (PNF) acted as an instructor and occupied the right cockpit seat. The pilot flying (PF) was a captain candidate who had recently passed a skill test on the aircraft type and was on his third day of line training.
Accident Sequence
Before the approach to runway 03, the crew briefed the company's wind limitations for landing at Stokka, which permitted a maximum wind velocity of 15 knots within sector 060–150°. The AFIS unit provided wind information three times, all within limits. Two minutes before landing, the reported wind was variable from the right at 9–15 knots. Shortly thereafter, the wind gusted to 17 knots. The AFIS officer attempted to alert the aircraft but was too late as the aircraft was about to touch down.
Simultaneously with the radio altimeter calling 20 feet, the pilots noted a marked increase in sink rate. The captain candidate initiated a go-around, but the aircraft contacted the runway before power could take effect. The landing was hard, causing the right main landing gear to collapse. The aircraft settled onto its right side but remained on the runway. Evacuation was carried out, and airport personnel quickly arrived. No fire or fuel leak occurred.
Investigation Findings
Examination revealed that the aircraft had a right roll and low right wing at touchdown, with its heading slightly to the right of the runway centerline. Calculations indicated that the right main landing gear collapsed because the fuse pin failed as designed under excessive loads. The investigation noted that the various operational and technical factors were individually within prescribed limits; however, the combination of the approach angle, the pilot's limited experience on the aircraft type, and the sudden wind change resulted in a hard landing.
Probable Cause
Kombinasjonen av innflygingsvinkel, begrenset erfaring på flytypen og plutselig vindendring, medførte at flyet fikk en hard landing. (The combination of approach angle, limited experience on the aircraft type, and sudden wind change resulted in a hard landing.)