What happened
While operating a charter service for the Metro Nord Travel Club, a leased aircraft was performing a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Cap Haïtien. During the approach phase, the flight crew attempted to deploy the landing gear and flaps; however, this action coincided with a significant drop in hydraulic pressure.
In response to the pressure loss, the crew proceeded with the landing attempt and engaged the emergency air brake. As the aircraft made contact with the runway, the brakes locked, causing both tires on the left main landing gear to burst. This loss of control led the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the runway, where it ultimately struck a stationary UH-60 helicopter.
Findings
- The incident was triggered by a drop in hydraulic pressure during the configuration of the aircraft for landing.
- The aircraft, which was a leased unit from Winemiller Aviation, sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
- Despite the collision, all 31 occupants were successfully evacuated from the plane without injury.