On June 19, 1958, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration LX-LAA) operated by Luxembourg Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Stuttgart-Echterdingen, Germany during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collapse of the left main landing gear upon touchdown caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and catch fire. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A training flight ended in an aircraft fire after a landing gear failure caused the plane to veer off the runway at Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport.
What happened
During a local training mission at Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport, an aircraft experienced a significant mechanical failure upon landing. As the plane made contact with the runway, the left main landing gear collapsed. This structural failure caused the aircraft to lose directional control and veer toward the left side of the runway.
Following the departure from the paved surface, the aircraft came to a stop while engulfed in flames. The intensity of the fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. Despite the severity of the incident, both members of the flight crew managed to exit the wreckage safely. There were zero fatalities and zero injuries reported among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor leading to the loss of control was the failure of the left main landing gear during the touchdown phase of the flight.
Probable cause
The collapse of the left main landing gear upon touchdown caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and catch fire.
