F/A-18’s landing gear collapsesNo one hurt in Monday’s incident
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jun 12, 2009 6:12:28 EDT
A Super Hornet was severely damaged Monday in California when its right main landing gear collapsed as the plane was conducting an arrested landing, a Navy spokesman said.
The single-seat F/A-18E was from a detachment of Strike Fighter Squadron 106, a fleet replacement squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., said Mike Maus, a spokesman for Naval Air Forces Atlantic.
No one was injured in the mishap, which occurred at El Centro Naval Air Facility, Maus said.
El Centro has a carrier landing deck where pilots can simulate landings. The landing gear failed during an arrested landing rollout, which occurs after the plane had hooked onto an arresting wire but before it decelerates and comes to a stop.
The mishap was initially rated Class A, which means the estimated cost of the damage is likely more than $1 million, according to the Naval Safety Center.
The investigation into the precise cause is under way, Maus said.
Source
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/06/navy_hornet_mishap_061109w/