Gear collapse during landing of twin-engine aircraft

No fatalities • Chicago-O'Hare, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

A single-engine aircraft experienced a gear collapse and subsequent crash landing following an unsuccessful attempt to level off during the approach.

What happened

During the final stages of flight, the twin engine airplane failed to maintain the correct altitude due to an improper level-off maneuver. This error resulted in a heavy impact with the runway surface. Following the initial hard landing, the aircraft bounced multiple times across the landing area.

As the aircraft continued its movement, the undercarriage failed and collapsed. The resulting loss of structural support led to a crash landing. At the time of the incident, the pilot was the only person on board the aircraft. Despite the severity of the impact and the subsequent collapse, the pilot escaped the accident without any injuries.

Findings

Investigations into the accident identified that the sequence of events began with the failure to properly level the aircraft during its descent. The subsequent hard landing and the inability to recover from the resulting bounces placed excessive stress on the landing gear. A significant contributing factor noted in the findings was an overload failure which led to the collapse of the undercarriage.

Probable cause

The landing gear collapsed due to structural overload following a hard landing and unsuccessful recovery from multiple bounces caused by an improper level-off.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1978-08-08 Beechcraft D18 accident near Chicago-O'Hare, United States of America?

A single-engine aircraft experienced a gear collapse and subsequent crash landing following an unsuccessful attempt to level off during the approach.

Were there any fatalities in the 1978-08-08 Beechcraft D18 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1978-08-08 involved a Beechcraft D18, registration N79R, operated by Blackhawk Airways, at Chicago-O'Hare, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The landing gear collapsed due to structural overload following a hard landing and unsuccessful recovery from multiple bounces caused by an improper level-off.

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