Embraer 120 N168CA

Summary

On 23 June 1996 at about 15:16 local time, a Embraer 120 registered N168CA was involved in an accident near Orlando, Florida, United States. 32 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 June 1996 at 15:16

Classification

Accident

Location

Orlando, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Orlando International (MCO)

Coordinates

28.4203, -81.3008

Aircraft

Embraer 120

Registration

N168CA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nassau → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA96FA162

Nobody was injured.

the aircraft manufacture's inadequate written procedures in the airplane flight manual/quick reference handbook, which resulted in a failure of the landing gear to extend and a wheels up emergency landing, due to hydraulic blockage in the landing gear solenoid valve. Factors relating to the accident were: the chafed and ruptured hydraulic line and the subsequent hydraulic leak, which resulted in loss of hydraulic pressure and an inoperative normal landing gear extension system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane experienced a total loss of hydraulic pressure and hydraulic fluid while on descent to the destination airport. The flight crew conducted emergency procedures (hydraulic failure/landing gear failure) in accordance with the airplane flight manual (AFM)/quick reference handbook (QRH) with negative results. Subsequently, a wheels up landing was made. Examination of the airplane revealed a rupture of the No. 1 engine-driven hydraulic pump pressure hose. Review of the AFM and QRH emergency procedures revealed the manual did not discriminate between hydraulic or electrical failures. The procedures listed in the maintenance manual for lowering the landing gear by the free-fall mechanism were different from the AFM/QRH. Functional test of the landing gear system, using the AFM/QRH, resulted in the landing gear failing to extend due to hydraulic blockage in the landing gear solenoid valve. Functional test of the landing gear system, using the free-fall procedure contained in the maintenance manual, resulted in the extension of the landing gear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.