Preliminary information from US investigators indicates that an American Eagle Embraer ERJ-135 contacted the runway with its landing-gear up while attempting to land at Boston, suffering flap damage before becoming airborne again.
Operating as flight 4539 the aircraft, a seven-year old jet registered N731BE, had been approaching Boston Logan on 20 June. The US National Transportation Safety Board, in an initial assessment, says the pilots believed the gear had been lowered.
“The crew reported that they had an indication that the gear was down and locked but, right before touchdown, they noticed a landing-gear lever disagree,” says the agency.
“Eyewitnesses to the first landing stated that they did not see the gear down on the approach.”
Although the aircraft executed a go-around, the NTSB states that it had already contacted the runway during the landing attempt. This caused damage to the flaps which subsequently would not retract after the aircraft became airborne once more.
The crew lowered and locked the undercarriage manually and received visual confirmation that the landing-gear was in place. Despite the flap damage the aircraft landed safely shortly afterwards.
None of the 41 occupants on board the aircraft – comprising 37 passengers and three crew members – was injured. American Eagle could not immediately be reached for comment.
To read NTSB report - click here
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
