On March 11, 2001, a Boeing 727-200 (registration N701NE) operated by Express One International was involved in an aviation accident near Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck the ground short of the runway threshold because it was flying too low during its final approach. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft sustained heavy damage after striking the ground short of the runway threshold during its final approach to Pohnpei Island.
What happened
During the final approach phase at Kolonia Airport on Pohnpei Island, the aircraft descended below the required altitude. The impact occurred just before the runway threshold, resulting in the right main landing gear being ripped from the airframe and the subsequent collapse of the left main gear.
Following the initial contact with the ground, the aircraft slid along its fuselage for several dozen meters before eventually coming to a stop on the runway surface. There were no injuries reported among the three crew members, all of whom were able to evacuate the wreckage safely. The aircraft was declared a total loss due to the extent of the structural damage.
Findings
The aircraft was operating at an altitude that was too low during the approach to the runway.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck the ground short of the runway threshold because it was flying too low during its final approach.
