Landing gear collapse during training flight at Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport

No fatalities • Santiago de Chile-Los Cerrillos, Chile • Landing (descent or approach)

A twin-engine aircraft sustained heavy damage after a landing gear failure during a training session at Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport.

What happened

During a local training mission operating out of Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport, the crew was performing a series of maneuvers. After successfully completing three landings, the crew attempted a fourth approach. Upon touchdown, the twin engine airplane experienced a heavy impact with the runway surface.

This forceful contact caused one of the main landing gear units to partially collapse. Following the structural failure, the aircraft continued to travel along the runway for approximately 500 meters. The momentum caused the plane to veer off the paved surface and eventually settle in a nearby ditch. There were zero fatalities and zero injuries reported among the two pilots on board.

Findings

  • The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
  • The sequence of events was initiated by a hard landing during the fourth landing attempt of the flight.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was a hard landing that triggered the partial collapse of the main landing gear.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1972-01-27 Rockwell Grand Commander 680 accident near Santiago de Chile-Los Cerrillos, Chile?

A twin-engine aircraft sustained heavy damage after a landing gear failure during a training session at Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport.

Were there any fatalities in the 1972-01-27 Rockwell Grand Commander 680 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1972-01-27 involved a Rockwell Grand Commander 680, registration CC-CEU, operated by Línea Aérea Taxpa, at Santiago de Chile-Los Cerrillos, Chile.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was a hard landing that triggered the partial collapse of the main landing gear.

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