Landing gear collapse and runway excursion at Ilulissat

No fatalities • Ilulissat, Greenland • Landing (descent or approach)

A landing gear failure caused an aircraft to skid off the runway and down a slope at Ilulissat Airport, resulting in minor injuries and hull loss.

What happened

During a night arrival at Ilulissat (BGJN) under visual meteorological conditions, an aircraft experienced a structural failure of its left main landing gear upon touchdown on runway 07. The incident occurred while the aircraft was operating in crosswind conditions that exceeded the maximum allowable limits for both the airframe and the operator's specific procedures.

Following the gear collapse, the aircraft veered toward the left side of the runway in a nose-right orientation. The vessel proceeded to skid sideways through the safety zone and down a steep, snow-covered embankment. The sequence ended when the aircraft struck a rocky area situated roughly 10 meters below the level of the runway.

While the aircraft was destroyed in the impact, there were no fatalities. The accident resulted in one passenger and one crew member sustaining minor injuries.

Findings

  • The primary contributing factor was the presence of gusting crosswinds that surpassed the established crosswind component limits for the aircraft and the operator.

Probable cause

The aircraft's left main landing gear collapsed due to landing in crosswind conditions that exceeded the permitted operational limits.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-01-29 De Havilland DHC-8-200 (Dash-8) accident near Ilulissat, Greenland?

A landing gear failure caused an aircraft to skid off the runway and down a slope at Ilulissat Airport, resulting in minor injuries and hull loss.

Were there any fatalities in the 2014-01-29 De Havilland DHC-8-200 (Dash-8) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-01-29 involved a De Havilland DHC-8-200 (Dash-8), registration OY-GRI, operated by Air Greenland, at Ilulissat, Greenland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft's left main landing gear collapsed due to landing in crosswind conditions that exceeded the permitted operational limits.

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