Narrative:Nose wheel doors were not closed and locked, causing them to be torn off on landing allowing water to enter the wheel well severely damaging the aircraft.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "As a result of the technical investigation, it was considered most probable that, because of a mechanical malfunctioning the nose wheel doors were not closed and locked and that there was an aperture of 70mm when the landing took place. The gaping doors were torn off when the aircraft having landed at rather high speed sank deeply into the water. The extremely great water pressure in the nose wheel well forced the aft bulkhead of the well inwards resulting in severe damage to the front cabin."
Classification:
Runway mishap
Sources:
» ICAO Circular 71-AN/63
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Kangerlussuaq-Søndre Strømfjord Airport to Godthåb/Nuuk Airport as the crow flies is 315 km (197 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.