Action Stems From A Single Runway Excursion Incident

The FAA has published a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) concerning a potential issues with brakes installed on Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft.

According to the SAIB, on March 1, 2015, a Bombardier Inc. Model CL-600-2A12 (601) airplane experienced a landing overrun and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear at Marco Island Airport in Marco Island, Florida. It was reported that upon landing, the pilot was unable to extend the ground spoilers and then applied “moderate” braking, but felt no deceleration. The pilot subsequently attempted to deploy the thrust reversers, but was unable to do so. The two pilots, a flight attendant, and four of the six passengers were not injured, and of the two remaining passengers, one sustained a serious injury and one sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage.

Investigation into the accident revealed that a broken left power BCV spring in the airplane’s left inboard brake was a contributing factor to the landing overrun. The broken spring caused the function of the power BCV spring to fail, therefore, not transmitting load to the brake controller assembly, rendering the BCV inoperable.

The BCV spring is part of a BCV manufactured by Tactair, having part number (P/N) HP1333100-9 (Bombardier Inc., Canadair P/N 600-75115-9). The BCV design incorporated a BCV spring with one dead coil on each end; however, in September of 1990, a new spring design with three dead coils on each end was incorporated, the change was controlled by revision to the spring drawing only with no part number change.

As a result, the National Transportation Safety Board issued Final Aviation Investigation Report ERA15LA140, dated November 28, 2017, recommending the development of an SAIB to alert principal inspectors and owners and operators of Bombardier Inc. Model CL-600-2A12 (601) airplanes of the potential failure of BCV springs manufactured by Tactair.

The FAA recommends that all owners and operators of the affected airplanes review the actions outlined in page 12 of Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Forum & Newsletter, Volume 15, Issue 4, dated February 21, 2018, for awareness of potential failure of certain landing gear BCV springs, rendering the BCV inoperable and causing a lack of braking capability upon landing.

(Source: FAA. Image from file)

FMI: SAIB