Virgin Atlantic Flight 024
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Founded | June 22, 1984 in London, United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Air transport services |
| Website | www |
Virgin Atlantic Flight 024 was a scheduled service operating between Los Angeles, California, and London, United Kingdom. On 5 November 1997, the Airbus A340 assigned to this flight executed an emergency landing at London Heathrow Airport after the left main landing gear failed to extend properly. Although the aircraft suffered damage, it was subsequently repaired. Among the 114 passengers and crew members on board, seven experienced minor injuries.
Aircraft
The aircraft involved in the incident was an Airbus A340-311, bearing the registration G-VSKY and manufacturer serial number 016. Its maiden flight occurred on 3 November 1993, and Virgin Atlantic took delivery on 21 January 1994. At the time of the event, the aircraft had accumulated 19,323 flight hours and was equipped with four CFM International CFM56-5C2 high-bypass turbofan engines.
Accident
Flight VS024 departed runway 24L at Los Angeles at 05:09 GMT (21:09 local time), following a delay of 19 minutes. Shortly after takeoff, the crew observed that the landing gear retracted more slowly than usual and later identified a malfunction in the no. 6 brake temperature sensor located on the inboard rear wheel of the main landing gear; however, the flight proceeded without further incident.
During final approach to runway 27L at London Heathrow at 15:04 GMT, a "Gear unsafe" warning was triggered upon landing gear extension. The first officer, who was piloting, decided to abort the landing at approximately 2.5 nautical miles from the runway and entered a holding pattern to investigate the issue.
To visually assess the situation, the crew flew close to the air traffic control tower and confirmed that the left main landing gear was partially extended but stuck after an attempted gravity drop. Despite several attempts to free it through various maneuvers, these efforts were unsuccessful. The crew considered landing on the right main gear followed by a go-around to attempt locking the gear but ultimately chose not to execute this plan.
Acknowledging that full deployment of the left gear was impossible, preparations for an emergency landing were initiated. At 16:08 GMT, with fuel reserves critically low, a Mayday call was issued. Runway 27L was selected for landing, anticipating that any veering caused by the uneven gear would direct the aircraft away from airport structures toward open areas.
Upon touchdown, engine number four contacted the runway surface causing rupture of right main landing gear tires. Engines one and two also scraped along the ground and ignited. The airplane veered leftward before coming to a halt; during evacuation, seven passengers sustained minor injuries.
Cause
The investigation determined that:
- The partial jamming of the left main landing gear occurred because the free end of the No. 6 brake torque rod became lodged within the keel beam inside the gear bay.
- During gear retraction after takeoff, the torque pin linking the No. 6 brake torque rod to its wheel brake assembly disengaged, permitting unrestricted movement of the rod.
- Unexpectedly high axial and torsional loads—resulting from elastic deformation of components including axle, brake, and torque rod combined with improper assembly lacking sufficient axial clearance—caused failure of the torque pin retention mechanism.
- Although structural torque tests had been passed by the wheel brake assembly design, these tests did not simulate axle deflections experienced during actual service braking; furthermore, post-test inspections that might have revealed overstressing were not conducted, allowing component failure to go undetected.
Aftermath
The airplane incurred extensive damage, affecting three of its engines as well as the landing gear. Additionally, tyre bursts caused harm to Runway 27L.
See also
- List of accidents and incidents involving commercial aircraft
- LOT Polish Airlines Flight 16
- Jeju Air Flight 2216
References
External links
- 1997 disasters in the United Kingdom
- 1997 in London
- Airliner accidents and incidents caused by mechanical failure
- Aviation accidents and incidents in England
- Accidents and incidents involving the Airbus A340
- Aviation accidents and incidents in 1997
- Airliner accidents and incidents involving belly landings
- November 1997 in the United Kingdom
- Virgin Atlantic accidents and incidents