NTSB Focuses on Mechanical Failure in Charlotte Nose Landing

A fractured lock link was sent to the NTSB materials laboratory for examination.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 04:39 PM ET

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View of airplane in final resting position. Photo provided by FAA. [Courtesy: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 made a nose-first landing in Charlotte on June 28 after its nose gear failed to deploy.
Preliminary NTSB findings indicate a fractured upper lock link in the nose gear assembly prevented its deployment.
Despite multiple attempts to extend the gear electronically and manually, the crew successfully landed the aircraft with no injuries to the 104 people on board.
The NTSB is continuing its investigation, examining the fractured part, flight recorders, and maintenance records.

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Mechanical part failure of a Boeing 717’s nose gear assembly may have prevented its deployment, leading a Delta Air Lines flight to land on its nose last month in Charlotte, according to accident investors.

The June 28 incident occurred at 8:58 a.m. as the crew of the Boeing 717 was preparing for landing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT), according to preliminary information from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The aircraft was about 2,000 feet agl when the first officer lowered the landing gear handle and the nosewheel unsafe condition light illuminated.