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Southwest 737 Landed Nose-Gear First

** Courtesy of the NTSB.**
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Southwest 737's nose gear collapsed upon landing at LaGuardia Airport.
  • NTSB evidence indicates the plane landed nose gear first, with a change in pitch from +2 degrees to -3 degrees just before and during touchdown.
  • Flaps were set to 40 degrees 56 seconds before landing, and the plane stopped within 19 seconds of touchdown.
  • Eight people (five passengers, three flight attendants) reported minor injuries.
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Video footage and other evidence shows that the Southwest 737 whose nose gear collapsed upon touchdown at LaGuardia Airport last week landed nose gear first, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The Board reported that at four seconds before landing the 737-700 was pitched up about two degrees, whereas at touchdown the airplane was pitched down about three degrees. The report also said that the crew set the flaps from 30 to 40 degrees 56 seconds prior to landing, and that upon landing the airplane came to a stop within 19 seconds after skidding down the runway.

Five passengers and three flight attendants reported slight injuries as a result of the accident. The NTSB is continuing to investigate the details of flight, which originated in Nashville.

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