# NTSB MIA91IA032: ATR ATR-42-300, N971NA, St. Thomas, November 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1990, 07:06 local (11:06 UTC)
- Place: St. Thomas
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 47 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91IA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91IA032

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SIDE BRACE LOWER ARM DUE TO FATIGUE RESULTING FROM CORROSION FORMATION, WHICH RESULTED FROM IMPROPER DESIGN TO PREVENT CORROSION FORMATION.

## Analysis

LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING TAXI FROM LANDING. LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SIDE BRACE LOWER ARM HAD SEPARATED DUE TO FATIGUE IN THE AREA WHERE A BEARING IS MOUNTED. THE FATIGUE CRACK ORIGINATED IN AN AREA OF CORROSION DAMAGE ON THE LOWER ARM OUTSIDE OF THE BEARING RACE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear strut scissors - corroded (cause)
  - material inadequate,improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut scissors - fatigue (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N971NA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N971NA-2002-12-18), registration cancelled 2002-12-18, S/N 017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ATR ATR-42-300 (ATR 42-300)
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale/Aeritalia ATR 42-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-aeritalia-atr-42-300) (registry code 8680920) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ATR42-300
- Airframe hours: 7728
- Engines: P&W PW-120 2100 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Executive Air Charter, Inc., doing business as American Eagle
- Registered owner: Executive Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: STT, Cyrile E. King

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16,320 total, 2,710 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STT

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19901126062269I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901126062269I), Nov 26, 1990: Aerosp ATR42300, Charlotte Amali, U.S. Virgin Islands, Minor damage. Left gear collapsed while taxiing to gate. Eye end of gear brace broke allowing gear to fold.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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