Narrative:
Shortly after take-off from Katherine, Australia, the left main landing gear of the Beech 200 aircraft did not retract. The flight continued to Darwin with the landing gear extended. During approach to Darwin airport the pilot advised air traffic control that he could not obtain a green 'down and locked' indication for the left main landing gear, and declared an emergency prior to landing. During touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft slewed off the runway. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft with no injuries.
The aircraft operator's maintenance organisation examined the aircraft and found that the left main landing gear drive shaft had severed as a result of fretting against a bleed air duct clamp tail. The bleed air duct clamp (jubilee clamp) had been fitted to the aircraft during an aircraft refurbishment program in September 2003. The jubilee clamp tail had been fastened in close proximity to the landing gear drive shaft. Subsequently, the jubilee clamp tail had come into close contact with the drive shaft, leading to severe wear of the drive shaft section and eventual failure.
Runway excursion
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 23 March 2004 |
| Time: | 12:50 |
| Type: |  Beechcraft 200C Super King Air |
| Operator: | Northern Territory Medical Service |
| Registration: | VH-NTH |
| MSN: | BL-12 |
| First flight: | 1980 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Darwin Airport, NT (DRW) ( Australia)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Ambulance |
| Departure airport: | Katherine-Tindal Airport, NT (KTR/YPTN), Australia |
| Darwin Airport, NT (DRW/YPDN), Australia |
Shortly after take-off from Katherine, Australia, the left main landing gear of the Beech 200 aircraft did not retract. The flight continued to Darwin with the landing gear extended. During approach to Darwin airport the pilot advised air traffic control that he could not obtain a green 'down and locked' indication for the left main landing gear, and declared an emergency prior to landing. During touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft slewed off the runway. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft with no injuries.
The aircraft operator's maintenance organisation examined the aircraft and found that the left main landing gear drive shaft had severed as a result of fretting against a bleed air duct clamp tail. The bleed air duct clamp (jubilee clamp) had been fitted to the aircraft during an aircraft refurbishment program in September 2003. The jubilee clamp tail had been fastened in close proximity to the landing gear drive shaft. Subsequently, the jubilee clamp tail had come into close contact with the drive shaft, leading to severe wear of the drive shaft section and eventual failure.
Classification:
Landing gear collapseRunway excursion
Sources:
» ATSBFollow-up / safety actions
As a result of the issues identified with this occurrence, the aircraft operator has conducted a fleet-wide examination of all similar aircraft to ensure adequate clearance exists between bleed air clamps and landing gear drive shafts.
The operator has submitted a major defect report to the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority and intends to notify the manufacturer of a number of deficiencies noted in the aircraft maintenance manual.
The operator has submitted a major defect report to the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority and intends to notify the manufacturer of a number of deficiencies noted in the aircraft maintenance manual.
Photos
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 Katherine-Tindal Airport, NT to Darwin Airport, NT as the crow flies is 284 km (177 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Katherine-Tindal Airport, NT to Darwin Airport, NT as the crow flies is 284 km (177 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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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