Incident Overview
On May 3, 2024, at about 1800 central daylight time, Delux Public Charter, operating as JSX flight 284, an Embraer EMB-145LR, experienced a left main landing gear (LMLG) collapse during landing at Houston Hobby International Airport (HOU), Houston, Texas. The flight was a public charter from Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), Dallas, Texas, to HOU, operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Onboard were 3 crew and 21 passengers. One crew member sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged.
Flight and Landing Sequence
The flight crew reported an uneventful takeoff, climb, cruise, and descent. Flight data indicated stable airspeed, vertical speed, and glide path during most of the final approach. Surface winds at HOU during the approach were reported from 130 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 24 knots. As the aircraft crossed the threshold of runway 4, the crew sensed an anomaly, and the captain, who was pilot flying, called for a go-around. The aircraft landed hard shortly thereafter. Although the crew did not recall initiating the go-around, flight data showed an increase in throttle lever angle consistent with go-around thrust beginning shortly before impact. The vertical load factor at touchdown was 3.9 g. Following touchdown, the LMLG collapsed and punctured through the left-wing upper skin. The aircraft came to a stop on the left side of the runway about 567 ft from the end. Emergency personnel assisted passengers as they deplaned through the main cabin door (L1). The first officer was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.
Damage Assessment
Visual inspection of the LMLG revealed structural damage, deformation, and hydraulic fluid leakage. The left wing spar III, a principal structural element, was bent and fractured at two locations, with partial fractures at three additional locations. Although some left-wing structural components were damaged, the fuel tank remained intact. Most structural damage to the inboard wing section was consistent with a strong upward force from the LMLG, while damage to the outboard section was consistent with the wing scraping the runway surface and impacting runway lights.
Investigation
The NTSB assigned specialists in airworthiness, operations, human performance, cockpit voice recorder (CVR), and flight data recorder (FDR). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Delux Public Charter are parties to the investigation. Since the aircraft was designed and manufactured in Brazil, the Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (CENIPA) assigned an Accredited Representative and designated Embraer as a technical advisor. The CVR and FDR were removed and successfully downloaded at NTSB headquarters in Washington, DC. The aircraft wreckage was documented during the on-scene investigation, and flight crew interviews were conducted via video conference on May 5, 2024. The investigation continues.