On January 26, 2014, a Boeing 737-300 (registration ZK-TLC) operated by Pacific Air Express - Solomon Islands was involved in an aviation accident near Honiara, Solomon Islands during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the right main gear was the consequence of an inappropriate rework (ie, machining and re-threading) of the tee-bolt fitting and the associated installation of a reduced size nut and washer, during the last overhaul in 2004. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
After an uneventful flight from Brisbane, the right main gear collapsed upon landing on runway 24 at Honiara-Henderson Airport, puncturing the right wing. The aircraft veered right and stopped on the runway. All three occupants evacuated safely; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Accident Description
The aircraft completed an uneventful flight from Brisbane and subsequently performed an approach and landing at Honiara-Henderson Airport. After touchdown on runway 24, the right main gear collapsed and punctured the right wing. The aircraft then veered slightly to the right and came to a halt on the runway.
Occupant Evacuation and Aircraft Damage
All three occupants evacuated the aircraft safely. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The failure of the right main gear was determined to be the consequence of an inappropriate rework—specifically, the machining and re-threading of the tee-bolt fitting and the associated installation of a reduced size nut and washer—which occurred during the last overhaul in 2004.
