Landing gear failure during arrival at Brasilia International Airport

No fatalities • Brasília, Brazil • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft operating a cargo and personnel flight experienced a nose landing gear malfunction during its approach to Brasilia, resulting in structural damage upon touchdown.

What happened

On the scheduled flight O6 6393, an aircraft departed from Senador Nilo Coelho Aerodrome (SBPL) in Petrolina, destined for Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport (SBBR) in Brasilia. The flight was carrying 44 passengers and 5 crewmembers. Approximately thirty minutes into the flight, while cruising at a steady altitude, the crew identified a low-level fluid loss within the first hydraulic system.

Following established operational protocols, the crew proceeded toward Brasilia despite the degraded hydraulic state. During the approach and landing phase at SBBR, the crew attempted to deploy the landing gear using the aircraft's alternative system. While the main landing gear successfully deployed and locked into position, the nose landing gear remained unlocked and failed to extend.

After communicating with air traffic control, the aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11R. The aircraft touched down at 2042 (UTC) and traveled 900 meters along the runway before coming to a complete stop. During the rollout, the aircraft was supported only by the main gear for the first 750 meters. For the final 150 meters of the stop, the lower section of the front fuselage made contact with the runway surface. This impact caused substantial structural damage to the nose area of the aircraft.

Findings

  • The crew successfully evacuated all 44 passengers and 5 crewmembers without incident.
  • The co-pilot sustained fractures to the thoracic spine, while all other occupants remained uninjured.

Probable cause

The nose landing gear failed to extend and lock during the landing sequence following a hydraulic system degradation.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-03-28 Fokker 100 accident near Brasília, Brazil?

An aircraft operating a cargo and personnel flight experienced a nose landing gear malfunction during its approach to Brasilia, resulting in structural damage upon touchdown.

Were there any fatalities in the 2014-03-28 Fokker 100 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-03-28 involved a Fokker 100, registration PR-OAF, operated by Avianca Brasil, at Brasília, Brazil.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The nose landing gear failed to extend and lock during the landing sequence following a hydraulic system degradation.

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