Synopsis
On 2 August 2019 at 16:40 local time, Golden Myanmar Airlines flight Y5-506, an ATR 72-600 registered XY-AJM, landed at Yangon International Airport and experienced a nose landing gear axle rupture. The aircraft, operating a scheduled passenger flight from Mandalay to Yangon, carried 5 crew and 72 passengers. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of Myanmar classified the occurrence as a serious incident.
Factual Information
History of the Flight
The flight crew consisted of a Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and a Co-pilot. The Co-pilot was pilot flying until about 60 nautical miles from HGUVOR. The aircraft received aerodrome information indicating heavy rain on the runway and visibility below 1.2 nautical miles. The PIC then took control. Due to heavy rain, aerodrome operations were suspended, and the aircraft held at 10,000 feet for about 25 minutes as instructed by ATC. After visibility improved, the aircraft descended to 3,000 feet and was cleared for an ILS approach to Runway 21. At about 1.5 nautical miles from the runway, rain intensity increased; the Co-pilot asked about going around, but the PIC continued, stating the runway was in sight. The aircraft landed with a nose-down attitude, bounced four times, and came to a stop about 7,000 feet from the runway threshold. The nose gear axle ruptured, and the right nose wheel detached.
Injuries to Persons
No fatalities or serious injuries occurred. All 5 crew and 72 passengers were uninjured.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained the following damage:
- Nose landing wheel hub broken off
- Left lower skin perforated and dented
- Right lower skin with two small dents
- Forward panel edge with superficial scratch
- Nose landing gear doors damaged
- Both nose landing gear tires burst
- Torque link broken
- Nose landing gear door stop fittings damaged
Other Damage
No other damage was reported.
Personnel Information
The PIC, aged 57, held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with 19,929:38 total hours, including 4,635:07 on type. The Co-pilot, aged 42, also held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with 6,219:10 total hours, including 2,327:20 on type. Both pilots had valid medical certificates and recent line checks.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an ATR 72-600, serial number 1148, manufactured on 9 May 2014. It had 12,985:42 total airframe hours. Its certificate of registration was XY-AJM, and the certificate of airworthiness was issued on 20 May 2014. The last time check was a daily check.
Meteorological Information
At 16:30, weather at Yangon International Airport included variable winds at 9 knots, visibility 3,000 meters, broken clouds at 1,300 feet, few cumulonimbus clouds at 1,800 feet, temperature 26°C, dew point 26°C, atmospheric pressure 1004 hPa, and light rain.
Communications and Navigation
Radio communications between the aircraft and Yangon Tower were normal and not a factor. Navigation aids were not relevant.
Aerodrome Information
Yangon International Airport has one main runway 03/21, 11,200 feet long, elevation 110 feet above mean sea level, certified for VFR and IFR. Aerodrome operations were suspended for about two hours after the incident.
Recorders
The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were removed and read out at the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore. The FDR data quality was good, containing 63 hours, 50 minutes, and 48 seconds of data, including the incident flight. The CVR was also recovered.
Wreckage and Site
The incident site coordinates were Latitude N 16°54'42", Longitude E 96°07'57". The aircraft came to rest on the runway near exit taxiway A3. It was raining heavily, and the runway was wet.
Medical and Pathological Information
Both pilots underwent medical and toxicological tests after the incident, which revealed no abnormalities.
Fire
No fire occurred before or after the incident.
Survival Aspects
After the aircraft stopped, the flight and cabin crew assessed conditions and directed passengers to disembark using normal procedures. Airport and airline personnel provided assistance.
Organizational and Management Information
Golden Myanmar Airlines, established in August 2012, operates domestic flights from its base at Mandalay International Airport. At the time, its fleet included three ATR 72-600 aircraft. The airline had a flight data analysis program and held monthly Safety Action Group meetings and bimonthly Safety Review meetings.
Analysis
The investigation team analyzed flight recorder data, weather conditions, witness testimony, stabilization criteria, and the operator's go-around policy. Flight data showed that the autopilot was engaged during descent and approach. Landing gear was extended at 16:31:18 at 3,241 feet pressure altitude. The autopilot was disengaged at 16:37:07 at 120 feet AGL, at which point magnetic heading was 218.1 degrees and indicated airspeed was 129.8 knots (VAPP+13 knots), varying along the approach from 1,000 feet.