No fatalities

2015-05-10: Xian MA60 (B-3476) — Joy Air — Fuzhou, China

Fuzhou, ChinaLanding (descent or approach)

On May 10, 2015, a Xian MA60 (registration B-3476) operated by Joy Air was involved in an aviation accident near Fuzhou, China during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A tyre failure on the right main landing gear led to a runway excursion and subsequent structural breakup of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781193042Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered B-3476
Aircraft registered B-3476. Photo: Windmemories / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft experienced a landing gear failure during touchdown at Fuzhou Airport, resulting in a runway excursion and structural damage.

What happened

Upon completing its landing on runway 03 at Fuzhou Airport, the aircraft experienced a sudden failure of a tyre on the right main landing gear. This burst triggered a loss of directional control, causing the aircraft to skid and veer toward the right side of the runway. The movement continued until the aircraft exited the paved surface and entered an adjacent grassy area.

The intensity of the excursion resulted in significant structural damage to the airframe. During the event, both wings separated from the upper portion of the fuselage. This separation caused the engines to make contact with the ground. The force of the impact ultimately caused the fuselage to break into two distinct sections.

Despite the severity of the mechanical failure and the subsequent breakup of the aircraft, all 52 occupants were successfully rescued from the wreckage. Medical reports indicated that three passengers sustained injuries during the accident.

Findings

  • The primary sequence of events was initiated by a tyre burst on the right main landing gear during the landing phase.

Probable cause

A tyre failure on the right main landing gear led to a runway excursion and subsequent structural breakup of the aircraft.