Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 14 November 1970
Aircraft Type: Steward-Davis Super Catalina (PBY-5A)
Owner/operator: Antilles Air Boats
Registration Number: N5584V
Location: Christiansted Harbor SPB, Saint Croix (SSB) –
ÿ U.S. Virgin Islands
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Upper end of left main gear hydraulic actuatorUpper end of left main gear hydraulic actuator
Category: Accident
A Catalina aircraft experienced a collapse during landing due to a failed hydraulic actuator on the upper end of the left main gear. The aircraft was a former US Navy Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, modified by Steward-Davis Inc. to a Super Catalina with upgraded engines and modifications. The failure was likely related to fatigue fracture and corrosion, potentially exacerbated by improper maintenance.A Catalina aircraft experienced a collapse during landing due to a failed hydraulic actuator on the upper end of the left main gear. The aircraft was a former US Navy Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, modified by Steward-Davis Inc. to a Super Catalina with upgraded engines and modifications. The failure was likely related to fatigue fracture and corrosion, potentially exacerbated by improper maintenance.
Description
The Catalina’s undercarriage collapsed on landing. The upper end of the left main gear hydraulic actuator had failed. It been overdue for overhaul by 801 hours. The airplane was a former US Navy Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina that had been converted by Steward-Davis Inc. as a Super Catalina with upgraded Wright Cyclone R-2600 engines, a modified tail fin, a faired nose and other modifications. PROBABLE CAUSES: airframe – landing gear: normal retraction/extension assembly airframe – landing gear: emergency/extension assembly miscellaneous acts,conditions – fatigue fracture miscellaneous acts,conditions – corroded/corrosion personnel – maintenance,servicing,inspection: improper maintenance (maintenance personnel)
Primary Cause
Landing gear assembly ? hydraulic actuator failureLanding gear assembly ? hydraulic actuator failureShare on:
