Casualties unknown

2001-08-28: Dassault/sud FAN JET FALCON (N617GA) — Detroit, MI

Detroit, MI, US

On August 28, 2001, a Dassault/sud FAN JET FALCON (registration N617GA) was involved in an aviation accident near Detroit, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The wheels up landing performed by the flightcrew during the emergency landing and improper aircraft preflight by the pilot in command. Factors were the unsecured cargo door, the cemetery fence, and the lack of crew coordination during the flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane sustained substantial damage after a main wheels up landing and runway excursion. The crew experienced a cargo door opening shortly after takeoff, leading to a return and a mismanaged landing.

Incident Overview

An airplane sustained substantial damage after traveling off the end of the runway during a main wheels up landing. The event occurred following an aborted flight due to a cargo door opening shortly after takeoff.

Flight and Cargo Door Issue

According to the captain, prior to takeoff he closed the cargo door and the copilot confirmed that the door light was out. After takeoff, at an altitude of about 600 feet, the cockpit door popped open and the crew noticed the cargo door was open. The captain elected to return to land.

Approach and Landing Sequence

The captain reported that he repeatedly requested gear and flaps extension, but the copilot was late in executing these actions, which "caused us to overshoot the runway centerline." The copilot then began calling for a go-around/missed approach, at which time he raised the gear and retracted some flaps. The copilot reported that the captain continued to descend toward the runway and overshot the runway centerline to the right. Subsequently, the copilot lowered the gear. The nose gear extended prior to touchdown, but the main gear did not. The airplane touched down approximately halfway down the runway and traveled off the end.

Witness Observation

A witness reported noticing that the exterior door latch was not down as the airplane taxied to the runway.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and objects after the runway excursion.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010830X01826. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.