Incident Overview
A flight departing Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport with 48 passengers and a crew of 4 on board was en route to Palanga. The descent was uneventful until the crew selected the landing gear down at approximately 2,000 feet. The right main landing gear extended but failed to lock down, and the landing gear doors did not close. The approach was aborted and a go-around was initiated.
Actions During Diversion
During a second landing attempt, the crew recycled the landing gear system but the unsafe warning persisted. The decision was made to divert to Vilnius. On approach to Vilnius, the crew attempted to release the undercarriage using a backup system, but the control panel still indicated an unsafe condition. The right engine was shut down and the propeller feathered prior to landing.
Landing and Aftermath
Upon touchdown, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off the runway and came to rest 40 meters further, approximately 1,150 meters past the runway threshold. All 52 occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
Probable Cause: The aircraft accident was caused by the separation of the piston rod of the extension/retraction actuator from the rod end during right hand main landing gear extension due to thread connection corrosion. The freely falling landing gear broke the apex hinge lugs of the stabilizer sections, the right hand landing gear did not lock in the extended position and collapse occurred when the aircraft was rolling after landing.