Narrative:
While approaching Denver runway 35L, the landing gear was lowered, but did not show three greens. The crew said that this had been a recurring problem with this particular airplane. The landing gear was cycled but this did not solve the problem as it had in the past. After consulting the emergency checklist, the crew felt confident that the landing gear was extended and locked because the hydraulic pressure gauge indicated 2,000 pounds. The airplane landed wheels up. Propeller blade fragments penetrated the fuselage and breached the pressure vessel.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the landing gear system and the flight crew's failure to ascertain that the landing gear was down and locked. A contributing factor was the inadequate maintenance inspections performed by maintenance personnel."
Gear-up landing
Runway mishap
accident date: 15-04-2003
type: Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II
registration: N229AM
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 15 April 2003 |
| Time: | 20:41 |
| Type: |  Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II |
| Operator: | Superior Aviation |
| Registration: | N229AM |
| MSN: | TC-305 |
| First flight: | 1979 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 31643 |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TPE331-10UA |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Denver International Airport, CO (DEN) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO (GUC/KGUC), United States of America |
| Denver International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 1813 |
While approaching Denver runway 35L, the landing gear was lowered, but did not show three greens. The crew said that this had been a recurring problem with this particular airplane. The landing gear was cycled but this did not solve the problem as it had in the past. After consulting the emergency checklist, the crew felt confident that the landing gear was extended and locked because the hydraulic pressure gauge indicated 2,000 pounds. The airplane landed wheels up. Propeller blade fragments penetrated the fuselage and breached the pressure vessel.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the landing gear system and the flight crew's failure to ascertain that the landing gear was down and locked. A contributing factor was the inadequate maintenance inspections performed by maintenance personnel."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Gear-up landing
Runway mishap
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
accident date: 15-04-2003
type: Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II
registration: N229AM
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO to Denver International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 243 km (152 miles).
Distance from Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO to Denver International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 243 km (152 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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