Incident Overview

Date: Monday 1 March 2010
Aircraft Type: Airbus A300B4-203 (F)
Owner/operator: ACT Airlines
Registration Number: TC-ACB
Location: Bagram Air Base (BPM) – ÿ Afghanistan
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Left Main Gear Hinge ArmLeft Main Gear Hinge Arm
Investigating Agency: BEABEA
Category: Accident
An Airbus A300B4 cargo plane experienced a landing gear collapse during landing at Bagram Air Base (BPM), Afghanistan. The crew detected an abnormal noise and vibrations upon extending the landing gear, and only two green gear lock indicator lights were operational. Subsequently, hydraulic system pressure and level readings were zeroed, prompting an emergency declaration and a minimum speed approach. During braking, the left main gear collapsed backwards, resulting in the aircraft deviating off the runway and coming to rest on a strip of land 2000 meters past the threshold. All five crew members evacuated safely.An Airbus A300B4 cargo plane experienced a landing gear collapse during landing at Bagram Air Base (BPM), Afghanistan. The crew detected an abnormal noise and vibrations upon extending the landing gear, and only two green gear lock indicator lights were operational. Subsequently, hydraulic system pressure and level readings were zeroed, prompting an emergency declaration and a minimum speed approach. During braking, the left main gear collapsed backwards, resulting in the aircraft deviating off the runway and coming to rest on a strip of land 2000 meters past the threshold. All five crew members evacuated safely.

Description

An Airbus A300B4 cargo plane, suffered a landing gear collapse during landing at Bagram Air Base (BPM), Afghanistan. On final approach, when the landing gear was extended, the crew heard an abnormal noise and felt vibrations. They noticed that only two of the three green gear lock indicator lights were on. The unlit light was the left main gear lock indication. Five seconds later, the green hydraulic system pressure and level read zero. The crew declared an emergency and made their approach at minimum speed. During braking, the left main gear collapsed backwards. The aircraft went off the left side of the runway and came to rest on a strip of land 2000 meters past the runway threshold. The five crew members evacuated the aircraft without any problems. Causes of the accident: Fatigue cracking led to the failure of the left main gear hinge arm. This cracking was most probably initiated by a corrosion pit, which appeared and/or was not detected during the last general overhaul. The origin of this corrosion pitting could not be clearly identified. However, the investigation revealed certain deficiencies in the maintenance tasks carried out during the general overhaul of the gear. The implementation of incomplete and inadequate work cards and tracking sheets in the workshop may have contributed to the accident.

Primary Cause

Fatigue cracking leading to the failure of the left main gear hinge arm. This cracking was most likely initiated by a corrosion pit, which appeared and/or was not detected during the last general overhaul.Fatigue cracking leading to the failure of the left main gear hinge arm. This cracking was most likely initiated by a corrosion pit, which appeared and/or was not detected during the last general overhaul.

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