Hard landing and gear collapse of four-engine aircraft at Balikpapan-Sepingan Airport

No fatalities • Balikpapan, Indonesia • Landing (descent or approach)

A four-engine aircraft experienced a structural failure of its landing gear during a hard landing at Balikpapan-Sepingan Airport, resulting in no injuries but significant hull loss.

What happened

During an approach to Balikpapan-Sepingan Airport, a four-engine aircraft was operating under tailwind conditions. As the flight progressed through the final stage of its approach, the aircraft became unstable. Upon touchdown on runway 07, the impact was severe enough to cause the collapse of both the nose landing gear and the right main landing gear.

Following the gear failure, the aircraft slid along the runway surface for several hundred meters before finally coming to a stop. Despite the intensity of the impact and the subsequent slide, all 76 occupants managed to evacuate the plane without sustaining any injuries. The structural damage sustained during the event was so extensive that the aircraft was declared a total loss.

Findings

  • The approach was conducted with an existing tailwind.
  • The aircraft was in an unstable state during its final approach phase.
  • The hard landing directly resulted in the collapse of the nose and right main gear.

Probable cause

An unstable approach combined with a tailwind led to a hard landing that caused the landing gear to fail.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1988-07-04 Vickers Viscount accident near Balikpapan, Indonesia?

A four-engine aircraft experienced a structural failure of its landing gear during a hard landing at Balikpapan-Sepingan Airport, resulting in no injuries but significant hull loss.

Were there any fatalities in the 1988-07-04 Vickers Viscount accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1988-07-04 involved a Vickers Viscount, registration PK-IVW, operated by Bouraq Indonesia Airlines, at Balikpapan, Indonesia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An unstable approach combined with a tailwind led to a hard landing that caused the landing gear to fail.

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