Event Summary
A cargo flight operating at night from San Jose, California, to Atlanta, Georgia, with an intermediate stop in Wilmington, Ohio, experienced a hard landing at the destination airport. The aircraft was on approach to runway 26 when it became unstable, rolling left and right. Despite the instability, the crew opted to continue the approach. Upon touchdown, the aircraft landed hard, causing the left main gear to collapse.
Incident Details
After the left main gear collapsed, the aircraft rolled for approximately 4,526 feet before veering off the left side of the runway. It continued for an additional 250 feet into a grassy area, where it came to rest. All four occupants escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a hard landing and subsequent failure of the left main gear after the crew failed to follow approved procedures. Contributing factors included a poorly planned approach, vortex turbulence, excessive speed from the LOM (Locator Outer Marker) to the airport, and closing a gap behind a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar that had just landed on the same runway.