A Transair flight had a close call at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport this Wednesday when its landing gear collapsed on arrival, as state transportation officials reported. According to information from KHON2, the Short SD3-60 aircraft, with five passengers on board, was robust enough to withstand a landing on Runway 4R without personal injuries, despite the mechanical setback.
The incident unfolded around 9 a.m., and Hawaii Department of Transportation detailed that Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting teams were quick to the scene, the aircraft remained on the tarmac until 1 p.m., when it was removed from the runway, which reopened after inspection and cleanup around 1:45 p.m. as said in KHON2's report. Runway 8L took on incoming flights and ongoing airport operations were unhindered by the day's events. The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the cause behind this gear malfunction.
On the same day, witnesses observed the aircraft make an unusual approach with its landing gear still retracted, a scene captured by a bystander video showing the plane over the runway, as Hawaii News Now broadcasted. Later, the same source revealed another video depicting the plane post-landing, propped awkwardly on its belly on the north end of the runway.
Aviation expert Peter Forman weighed in, as told to Hawaii News Now, explaining that such machinery malfunctions are not unheard of with aging aircraft yet it's difficult to detect problems like these preemptively and that these breakdowns tend to be more related to maintenance issues or metal fatigue rather than pilot error, he added "If it's a pilot error, usually it's very obvious because it starts sliding as soon as the airplane touches down." Transair, whose reputation was previously tarnished by similar incidents and federal scrutiny, has not yet responded to requests for comment on this latest occurrence, despite plans to resume its scheduled interisland service by year-end, after previous Federal Aviation Administration restrictions levied on its 737 fleet were dismissed.
The Federal Aviation Administration however has not concluded its investigation into Wednesday’s incident, maintaining a keen eye on Transair whose Short SD3-60 had an eerily similar landing gear issue ten years prior at Kalaeloa Airport resulting in substantial damage, and was found to be a result of pilot error for failing to extend the landing gear and not completing the Before Landing checklist, an NTSB report confirmed, as per Hawaii News Now.
