Incident Overview
On final approach to Damascus Airport, the flight crew was completing the pre-landing checklist when they observed that the three green lights indicating the landing gear were down and locked were not illuminated. The captain requested confirmation from the air traffic controller in the tower, who responded that all three landing gear appeared to be down.
Landing and Gear Collapse
As the aircraft touched down, the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards along the runway before coming to a stop. Despite the collapse, there were no injuries among the 22 persons on board. However, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond economical repair.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the incident to be the failure of the right main landing gear upon landing. It was found that the gear was extended but not locked into position, though the reason for the unlocked state could not be determined.