On October 31, 2015, Delta Air Lines Flight 1591, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, experienced a severe nose landing gear collapse while landing at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The incident turned a routine arrival into a dramatic safety event that drew widespread attention to landing gear design, maintenance, and operational procedures.
Flight 1591 was approaching Atlanta in clear conditions when the left main landing gear failed shortly after touchdown, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and stop on an access taxiway. No fire was reported, and all 161 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, though several injuries occurred during the rapid disembarkation.
| Flight | Date | Aircraft Type | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta 1591 | October 31, 2015 | McDonnell Douglas MD-88 | Nose gear collapse, runway excursion, 10 minor injuries |
| Delta 1086 | March 5, 2015 | McDonnell Douglas MD-88 | Runway overrun on snowy night, no fatalities, 29 injuries |
| American 383 | October 2016 | Boeing 767-300 | Engine fire on takeoff, runway closure, evacuations |
| Southwest 1380 | April 2018 | Boeing 737-700 | Engine failure and fuselage damage, 1 fatality, many injuries |
Delta 1591 Accident Details
The aircraft touched down heavily on the left main gear, which failed almost immediately. The fuselage slid sideways, damaging the left wing and engine pod before coming to rest off the runway. Investigators later focused on the condition of the landing gear truck, lock mechanisms, and maintenance records to identify the root cause.
Landing Gear Design And Certification Standards
Modern landing gear must meet strict certification requirements, including load testing, fatigue analysis, and redundancy considerations. Design reviews after the Delta 1591 event examined truck geometry, attachment fittings, and material choices to reduce the risk of in-flight collapses.
Maintenance Procedures And Inspection Protocols
Post-accident analysis highlighted the importance of clear inspection intervals, detailed torque checks, and thorough documentation. Airlines implemented revised procedures for landing gear truck inspections, including non-destructive testing and more rigorous visual checks after heavy landings or hard taxying.
Operational Impact And Airline Response
Delta temporarily modified flight scheduling, crew training, and communications for pilots and ground staff. Enhanced briefings about runway conditions and crosswind techniques complemented technical changes to the landing gear service bulletins and checklists.
Key Takeaways And Recommendations
- Landing gear fatigue and wear require systematic, interval-based inspections.
- Heavy landings and crosswind operations should be documented and reviewed in maintenance logs.
- Collaboration between manufacturers, regulators, and airlines improves detection of emerging risks.
- Clear evacuation procedures and crew training reduce injuries during unplanned exits.
FAQ
Reader questions
What caused the landing gear to collapse on Delta Flight 1591?
The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that a fatigue crack in the landing gear truck lower link fitting contributed to the collapse, exacerbated by the aircraft's weight and landing loads.
How many people were injured in the Delta 1591 incident?
Ten passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries during the evacuation, with no fatalities reported.
Were any similar incidents linked to the same component on other aircraft?
Investigators reviewed service bulletins and incident data for similar truck fittings, prompting other operators to inspect comparable components on MD-80 series aircraft.
What changes did regulators require after this accident?
Regulators issued airworthiness directives mandating more frequent inspections, detailed crack detection methods, and updated maintenance practices for landing gear truck fittings.