Event Description
Shortly after the aircraft touched down on the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot attempted to correct the situation by applying left rudder and braking, but the aircraft veered to the right of the runway and collided with a building. Shortly after impact, a fire erupted, which totally consumed both the aircraft and the building. Due to the severity of the fire, the fracture surfaces of the right landing gear were obliterated.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified three sequential occurrences during the landing phase:
- Occurrence #1: Main gear collapsed during the landing flare/touchdown phase. Finding: Main landing gear suffered a total failure.
- Occurrence #2: Loss of control on ground/water during the landing roll phase. Findings: Directional control was not possible, and an uncontrolled ground loop/swerve occurred.
- Occurrence #3: On ground/water collision with object during the landing phase. Finding: The object was a nonresidential building.
Probable Cause (Official Findings)
The probable cause is stated as:
Occurrence #1: main gear collapsed Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown Findings 1. (c) landing gear, main gear - failure, total
Occurrence #2: loss of control - on ground/water Phase of operation: landing - roll Findings 2. Directional control - not possible 3. Ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
Occurrence #3: on ground/water collision with object Phase of operation: landing Findings 4. (f) object - building (nonresidential)