bartender--the gear in the first two incidents did basically free fall as the acuator wasnt attached and look what happened!! it went right through the centre and tried to carry on but something had to give and lock it couldnt, cause it had nothing to lock to!!!
Is it positively known that the eyebolt ripped out of its threads already at gear extension, in the first two accidents? Or is it possible that it did not happen until the actual touchdown?
Just wondering, because I haven't seen this mentioned before and initial reports seemed to indicate the gear looked to be in its normal down position.
I'm certainly no expert on the Q400 landing gear, but it would seem possible that the wind pressure may actually cause a compression force on the actuator all the way during gear extension, keeping it in one piece. Pls correct me if I'm wrong
