Right main gear collapse during landing at Islamabad

No fatalities • Lahore, Pakistan • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft experienced a right main gear collapse upon landing at Islamabad, resulting in the aircraft exiting the runway. All 46 occupants escaped without injury.

What happened

On September 11, 2012, an aircraft was performing a descent toward runway 36R at Islamabad following a routine flight from Islamabad. During the approach, the aircraft was noted to be unstable on short final. The aircraft touched down at the very beginning of the paved surface, specifically within the undershoot area, and to the right of the extended centerline for runway 36R.

Upon contact with the wet runway, the right main gear collapsed. This caused the aircraft to slide approximately 1,700 feet along the runway before veering off to the right side. The aircraft eventually came to a stop 60 feet beyond the runway edge. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, there were no injuries among the 46 occupants on board.

Findings

Investigation by the BEA indicated that the aircraft was flying too low on the glide path during the final approach. A primary contributing factor was that the crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure despite the unstable approach and the aircraft's low altitude.

Weather conditions at the time of the accident were marginal, characterized by rain and significant wind fluctuations. Ten minutes prior to the landing, weather reports indicated potential thunderstorms, reduced visibility to 2,000 meters, and wind gusts up to 30 knots, alongside cumulonimbus clouds at 3,000 feet.

Probable cause

The crew failed to execute a go-around during an unstable approach characterized by low altitude and poor weather conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-08-31 ATR42-500 accident near Lahore, Pakistan?

An aircraft experienced a right main gear collapse upon landing at Islamabad, resulting in the aircraft exiting the runway. All 46 occupants escaped without injury.

Were there any fatalities in the 2012-08-31 ATR42-500 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-08-31 involved a ATR42-500, registration AP-BHJ, operated by Pakistan International Airlines - PIA, at Lahore, Pakistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew failed to execute a go-around during an unstable approach characterized by low altitude and poor weather conditions.

Loading the flight search…