No fatalities

2023-04-16: Saab 340 (TG-TAI) — Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos (TAG Airlines) — Flores-Mundo Maya (Santa Elena), Guatemala

Flores-Mundo Maya (Santa Elena), GuatemalaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 16, 2023, a Saab 340 (registration TG-TAI) operated by Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos (TAG Airlines) was involved in an aviation accident near Flores-Mundo Maya (Santa Elena), Guatemala during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The primary cause of this occurrence was the collapse of the right landing gear hydraulic actuator support due to the failure of the support bolt. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781189346Data APIEditorial standards

During approach to Flores-Mundo Maya Airport, the flight crew did not receive a down-and-lock indication. After two low passes, ATC confirmed the gear appeared down. Upon touchdown, the right main gear collapsed. All 17 occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Incident

Approaching Flores-Mundo Maya Airport, the flight crew completed the pre-landing checklist and selected the landing gear down. They did not receive a down-and-lock indication. Coordinating with air traffic control, the crew performed two low passes over the airport; ATC visually confirmed that the landing gear appeared down and observed no abnormalities. The crew then decided to land. After touchdown, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off the runway to the right and came to rest in a grassy area. All 17 occupants evacuated safely. The airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be the collapse of the right landing gear hydraulic actuator support due to the failure of the support bolt. When the electrical selector was activated in the cockpit, the right landing gear hydraulic actuator extended fully. During this process, the attachment bolts at the base of the actuator fractured. As a result, the landing gear assembly did not fully extend, preventing the symmetric locking mechanism from securing the corresponding main landing gear.

Aftermath

No injuries were reported among the occupants. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.