EI3651 - Accident: Emerald AT72 at Belfast on Dec 30th 2023

An Emerald Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A on behalf of Aer Lingus, registration G-CMMT performing flight EI-3651 from Edinburgh,SC to Belfast City,NI (UK), was on final approach to Belfast's runway 22 at 09:29L (09:29Z) when the crew initiated a go from about 200 feet AGL (about 825 feet transponder altitude corrected for ambient pressure). The aircraft climbed to 3000 feet and later 4000 feet and entered a hold, then commenced another approach to runway 22 resulting in touch down in the touch down zone about 20 minutes after the first go around but initiated a go around again (balked landing) and again climbed to 3000 feet later 4000 feet. The aircraft diverted to Belfast's Aldergrove Airport for a safe landing on runway 07 about 50 minutes after the first go around.

The aircraft is still on the ground in Belfast 13 days after the occurrence.

The British AAIB rated the occurrence an accident and opened an investigation reasoning that the aircraft sustained substantial damage and stating that the nose landing gear was found damaged after landing.

On May 10th 2024 the AAIB released their bulletin reporting that both left main and nose landing gear needed to be replaced as result of the occurrence and concluded the probable causes of the occurrence were:

The landing gear sustained damage during a heavy touch down after the aircraft became destabilised, due to wind effects experienced during the flare, immediately before touchdown.

The AAIB summarized: "The left main landing gear and nose landing gear contacted the runway heavily during a second approach to Belfast City Airport in gusty wind conditions. The commander elected to go-around and diverted to Belfast Aldergrove Airport, where the aircraft landed uneventfully. The left main landing gear and the nose landing gear required replacement because of excessive loads and visible damage."

The AAIB described the aircraft damage: "The operator reported that the nosewheel tyres were damaged and when the wheels were removed, the left nosewheel axle was slightly bent. The flight data showed an acceleration of approximately 2.2 g in the normal axis when the aircraft contacted the runway before the go-around. The aircraft manufacturer assessed that the left main landing gear and the nose landing gear had both experienced loads beyond their allowable limits and required replacement before the aircraft could be returned into service."

Related Flight: EI3651, Aer Lingus News