NTSB: Plane with One Engine Resting Broke Pin in Landing Gear

Alaska Airlines Jet Makes Dramatic Landing ​After Pin Breaks in Landing Gear

WASHINGTON—In a‍ heart-stopping incident last month, ⁣an Alaska Airlines jet experienced a harrowing landing​ in California when a pin broke inside​ its left landing gear,⁣ causing it to come ‌to rest on one of the engines.

The two pilots, faced with the challenge of landing during Tropical Storm Hilary,⁤ discussed ‌the need for a ⁣”firm” touchdown. ‍As the plane touched down at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, the captain felt ​a “firm jolt feeling.”

Despite ⁣the intense landing, data from⁢ the plane​ indicated that the touchdown force was within the airline’s limits, ⁣according to⁢ a⁤ preliminary ⁤report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ⁣on Monday.

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According to the pilots’ statements to investigators, cockpit indicators​ confirmed that both⁢ the main landing gear and the nose gear were in the down and ​locked position. However, after landing, the captain‍ noticed a flat ⁤tire sensation on the left side, and the crew observed the plane tilting to the ⁢left.

Upon stopping the plane on a‌ taxiway, the ⁤captain ⁤opened a window and was shocked to ​see the aircraft resting on the housing⁢ surrounding the left engine. Both engines were immediately shut down, and passengers safely disembarked on‍ the taxiway.

Fortunately, ‌there were no reported injuries among the 106 passengers and six crew members on the Aug. 20 flight, as confirmed​ by the NTSB.

The NTSB’s examination revealed that​ a trunnion pin in the left landing gear had broken, causing the gear assembly to puncture ⁢through the top of ⁤the left wing. The board will continue its investigation into this alarming incident.