41-39145
416th BG - 668th BS - 9th AF
This a/c had formerly served with the A-26 Combat Evaluation Project Squadron attached to the 386th BG
It was being used for transition training by the 416th BG at the time of it's crash
Object Number - UPL 48263 - A-26B-15-DL #41-39145 416th BG - 668th BS - 9th AF This a/c had formerly served with the A-26 Combat Evaluation Project Squadron attached to the...
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Little Easton
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Melun, Alsace
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Melun Airfield, France | 19 October 1944 | Completing a transition flight in aircraft A-26B-15, No. 41-39145, Lt. Ames lowered his landing gear in preparation for landing. The gear indicator indicated all three gears down; the red light went out and the green light came on. Consequently, Lt. Ames landed on the assumption that his landing gear was down and locked. He held the nose gear off the ground after making a normal landing. However, upon lowering the nose, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft then slid on its nose for approximately 200 yards, and came to a stop on the runway. Both propellers were damages, and the nose wheel doors were buckled. Investigation disclosed that the micro-switch box for the landing gear indicator light was rigidly mounted. Consequently, the position could not be adjusted properly in the elongated slots which were designed for that purpose. Therefore, the nose gear light indicated down and locked when the gear was only partially extended. The nose gear was not locked in the down position when the airplane landed. This nose gear had been repaired while this aircraft was attached to a previous group. Faulty repair work resulted in maladjustment of the retracting link, plus elimination of the bearing spacer in the assembly of the retracting mechanism. Consequently, there was too much play between the nose wheel down latch and the lower nose wheel retracting link assembly. Thus, the nose gear was not locked in the down position, and it collapsed when the nose was lowered. Faulty maintenance, rather than malfunction of mechanism was the cause of the collapse. |
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