What happened
On April 16, 2023, a Saab 340A, registration TG-TAI, was operating a passenger flight from Cancun International Airport, Mexico, to Mundo Maya International Airport in Petén, Guatemala. During the approach and landing phase, the crew attempted to extend the landing gear. While the hydraulic actuator for the right gear extended, the assembly failed to reach its full position, preventing the downlock mechanism from securing the gear in place.
All 17 occupants—including two pilots, 14 passengers, and one cabin attendant—evacuated the aircraft without injuries. The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear assembly, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The investigation
The Guatemalan accident investigation unit (UIA) examined the mechanical condition of the aircraft and the maintenance history of the landing gear components. The investigation focused on the functionality of the hydraulic systems and the structural integrity of the gear actuators. Investigators reviewed the maintenance records, which indicated that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date according to the required flight hour intervals. The investigation also assessed the crew's performance, finding that the pilots were properly qualified and that the meteorological conditions at the time of the incident were favorable for visual flight (VFR) with unlimited visibility.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure of the right landing gear hydraulic actuator support due to a broken mounting bolt.
- When the crew activated the electric selector in the cockpit, the fracture in the mounting bolts at the base of the actuator prevented the landing gear assembly from fully extending.
- Because the gear could not reach its full extension, the mechanical downlock could not engage to secure the main landing gear.
- The aircraft's weight and balance were within safe limits for the flight.