On August 1, 1997, a Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso) (registration N322FA) operated by Airborne Fire Attack was involved in an aviation accident near San Vicente Reservoir, United States of America during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The implosion of the unlocked left nose gear door which resulted in the hydraulic disintegration of the forward fuselage. The cause of the locking pin actuator malfunction was not determined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
Aircraft registered N322FA. Photo: Unknown Unknown ; English Wikipedia, original upload 31 July 2005 by Fernando Rizo / CC BY-SA 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During a water scooping operation, an aircraft's left nose gear door unlocked, causing it to implode and resulting in hydraulic disintegration of the forward fuselage. The locking pin actuator malfunction cause was not determined.
Incident Description
After the aircraft touched down to scoop another load of water, the pilot added power and the aircraft pitched forward. The pilot heard a pop and felt a sudden decelerative force. When the nose began to bowsuck, he applied more back pressure but the aircraft did not respond. The floor split open and water began rushing into the cockpit.
Investigation Findings
Investigators found that the left nose gear door locking pin had separated from its hydraulic actuator. The pin displayed a bend that corresponded to its retracted position in the pin guide. This deformation prevented reinsertion of the damaged pin back through the guide. The left mycarta block remained attached to the door and did not exhibit any damage.
Official Probable Cause
The probable cause was determined to be the implosion of the unlocked left nose gear door, which resulted in the hydraulic disintegration of the forward fuselage. The cause of the locking pin actuator malfunction was not determined.
