Incident Overview
Date: Friday 26 May 1972
Aircraft Type: Higgins Boat Co. C-46A-1-HI Commando
Owner/operator: Servicios Areos Bolivianos – SAB
Registration Number: CP-749
Location: La Paz-El Alto Airport (LPB) –
ÿ Bolivia
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: Undercarriage (specifically, the left undercarriage)Undercarriage (specifically, the left undercarriage)
Category: Accident
An aircraft experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure during approach to La Paz Airport. The undercarriage prematurely retracted, followed by a collapse of the left undercarriage, resulting in significant damage to the tail skid, propellers, and engines. The aircraft rolled onto its wheels.An aircraft experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure during approach to La Paz Airport. The undercarriage prematurely retracted, followed by a collapse of the left undercarriage, resulting in significant damage to the tail skid, propellers, and engines. The aircraft rolled onto its wheels.
Description
The aircraft made a normal approach to La Paz Airport. the undercarriage control lever had been lowered and the crew had checked that the undercarriage was “down” and the lights “on”. The aircraft touched down on the runway and had rolled 1300 m on its wheels, when the right undercarriage began to retract slowly followed by the sudden collapse of the left one. The tail skid remained down, and the under part of the fuselage, the propellers and engines suffered damage.
Primary Cause
Premature undercarriage retraction and collapse during approach.Premature undercarriage retraction and collapse during approach.Share on:
