The US National Transportation Safety Board says an Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ200 landed "hard" and "porpoised" down the runway at TF Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island, on 16 December before exiting the left side of the pavement and coming to stop in a snow and grass area about 0.8km (0.5 mile) after touching down.
The regional jet, carrying three crew and 31 passengers, landed at 16:48 operating a US Airways Express service from Philadelphia. No injuries were reported.
Winds were light and temperatures were above freezing, with skies overcast and 2.8km (1.5nm) visibility in light rain and mist, according to the NTSB's preliminary report. "Approximately 4min prior to the accident, an arriving 737 reported braking action good," the report states, adding that a notice to pilots stated that the runway had "0.5in [1.3cm] of wet snow over patchy snow and ice".
Investigators say the aircraft appears to have touched down "1,000-1,200ft" (302-363m) from the threshold of the 2,190m-long Runway 05. Fibreglass parts "consistent with the main gear door" were found near broken runway edge lights about 762m from the threshold. About 915m from the threshold, the left main gear entered the snow and grass area, and by 976m "both main gear had exited the runway", says the report.
"The left main gear collapsed, the drag brace or trunnion was seen fractured, and the wheel punctured the flap and left upper wing skin," investigators state, adding that there was also damage to the left wing tip. No fuel was spilt.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
