On June 4, 2010, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration S9-BAT) operated by National Airlines - National Air Cargo was involved in an aviation accident near Sharana AFB, Afghanistan during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The landing gear failed because the aircraft touched down short of the runway threshold. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft experienced a landing gear failure upon touchdown, resulting in the plane sliding off the runway and sustaining heavy damage.
What happened
During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft's undercarriage failed immediately upon contact with the ground. The impact caused the landing gear to be torn from the airframe. Following the collapse, the aircraft type slid along its belly for several dozen meters. The momentum of the slide caused the plane to veer toward the right side of the runway, eventually coming to a stop in a sandy area adjacent to the airfield.
Preliminary details suggest the touchdown occurred a few meters short of the threshold of runway 14/32, which has a total length of 4,265 feet. This short landing is believed to be the primary reason for the structural failure of the gear.
Findings
The undercarriage collapse was triggered by the aircraft touching down before the intended runway surface.
There were zero fatalities and zero injuries reported among the four crew members on board.
The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, as it was deemed beyond repair.
Probable cause
The landing gear failed because the aircraft touched down short of the runway threshold.