Harvard Aircraft Appears To Have Suffered A Landing Gear Failure

Two people were uninjured when an 1943 Harvard (T-6/SNJ) aircraft that was taking part in the 'Warbirds over Wanaka' show in New Zealand skidded off the runway Sunday morning after an apparent landing gear problem.

The airplane was one of five that make up the "Roaring 40s" aerobatic display team, according to newshub.co.nz. The accident is believed to have been caused by a landing gear failure, according to the report.

The accident occurred as the plane was landing. It reportedly skidded about 60 feet of the runway at around 9:30 a.m. local time. Ralph Fegan, the operations manager at Wanaka Airport, said both the pilot and the passenger got out unharmed, and there were no fuel leaks.

It was the second incident involving a Harvard Sunday at the show. Prior to the landing accident, a Harvard on takeoff had an unspecified mechanical problem and aborted the departure. The passenger on the plane was a 24-year-old man from Brisbane, Australia, who did not wish to give his name. He said that as they were on their takeoff roll "there was a problem and one wing actually clipped the tarmac."

The airport was temporarily closed while that airplane was cleared from the runway.

(RAF New Zealand Harvard pictured in public domain photo)

FMI: www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com