Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 12 August 1951
Aircraft Type: Avro Shackleton MR.1
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: VP283
Location: 9 km off Gibraltar-North Front Airport (GIB) –
ÿ Gibraltar
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Main landing gear legsMain landing gear legs
Category: Accident
A Shackleton aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing due to an undercarriage impact on the runway during final approach to Gibraltar. Both main landing gear legs were sheared off, resulting in the aircraft being ditched into the sea. The pilot, blinded by the sun, was unable to land and subsequently lost control of the aircraft.A Shackleton aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing due to an undercarriage impact on the runway during final approach to Gibraltar. Both main landing gear legs were sheared off, resulting in the aircraft being ditched into the sea. The pilot, blinded by the sun, was unable to land and subsequently lost control of the aircraft.
Description
The Shackleton was on final approach to Gibraltar when the undercarriage hit the end of the runway. Both main landing gear legs were sheared off and the pilot performed a go around. Unable to land, the airplane was ditched into the sea. The Shack operated on a conversion training flight for the 224 Squadron. The pilot was reportedly blinded by the sun during the approach.
Primary Cause
Undersized runway conditions and a sudden, unexpected impact.Undersized runway conditions and a sudden, unexpected impact.Share on:
