Landing gear failure and runway excursion during approach to Vilnius

No fatalities • Vilnius, Lithuania • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft flying from Copenhagen to Palanga was forced to divert to Vilnius after a landing gear malfunction, resulting in a runway excursion and significant aircraft damage.

What happened

A flight originating from Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport, carrying 48 passengers and 4 crew members, was en route to Palanga when the crew began their descent. During the approach, at approximately 2,000 feet, the crew attempted to deploy the landing gear. While the right-hand main gear extended, it failed to lock into position, and the associated landing gear doors remained open.

Following this malfunction, the crew performed a go-around to attempt a second approach. Despite recycling the landing gear system, the unsafe gear warning persisted, prompting a decision to divert the flight to Vilnius. During the subsequent approach to Vilnius, the crew utilized the backup system to attempt to release the undercarriage, but the control panel continued to indicate an unsafe status. As a precaution, the crew shut down the right engine and feathered the propeller before touchdown.

Upon landing, the right main gear collapsed. This caused the aircraft to veer off the runway, eventually coming to a stop approximately 1,150 metres past the runway threshold, roughly 40 metres from the edge of the paved surface. All 52 occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury, though the aircraft was determined to be a total loss due to the extent of the damage.

Findings

  • The right-hand main landing gear failed to lock into the down position.
  • The failure of the right main gear to secure in the locked position led to a gear collapse upon touchdown.

Probable cause

The collapse of the right main landing gear during touchdown caused the aircraft to veer off the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2007-09-12 De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Dash-8) accident near Vilnius, Lithuania?

An aircraft flying from Copenhagen to Palanga was forced to divert to Vilnius after a landing gear malfunction, resulting in a runway excursion and significant aircraft damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 2007-09-12 De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Dash-8) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2007-09-12 involved a De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Dash-8), registration LN-RDS, operated by Scandinavian Airlines System - SAS, at Vilnius, Lithuania.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collapse of the right main landing gear during touchdown caused the aircraft to veer off the runway.

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