What happened
On 2 February 2015, a Jetstream 41, registration SX-DIA, was operating a scheduled flight from Heraklion to Rhodes. The aircraft, operated by SKY EXPRESS, was carrying 16 passengers and a 3-member crew. During the approach to Rhodes, Air Traffic Control (ATC) provided multiple updates regarding highly unstable weather, noting frequent wind shifts and significant gusts. Due to the presence of strong wind shear and turbulence, ATC advised the crew that landing was not recommended.
At approximately 07:36 hrs, the aircraft touched down on the runway with its right main landing gear making first contact. While the crew was attempting to decelerate and vacate the runway via taxiway C, the aircraft veered toward the left. The aircraft eventually came to a stop at the left edge of the runway. During the incident, the crew reported a burst tire. Following the stop, the fire service observed a fuel leak, necessitating the use of foam by emergency responders.
Due to the presence of fire-fighting foam on the runway surface, passengers could not be evacuated through the forward left door and were instead directed to exit via the rear right emergency exit. Initial inspections suggested that the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the left side of the aircraft to drag along the runway surface.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a left main landing gear failure involving the gear and its housing making contact with the runway.
- Severe and highly variable wind conditions, including significant wind shear and gusts, were present during the landing phase.
- The incident resulted in a burst tire and a subsequent fuel leak requiring emergency foam application.