N779BC

On December 8, 2006, approximately 0800 mountain standard time, a Fairchild SA227BC, N779BC, operated by Key Lime Air, Inc., and piloted by a commercial pilot, under the command of an airline transport-certificated pilot, was substantially damaged when it landed hard at Gillette, Wyoming's Campbell County Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The non-scheduled domestic cargo flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, and an IFR (instrument flight rules) flight plan had been filed and activated. The pilot and co-pilot on board the airplane were not injured. The flight originated at Denver, Colorado, approximately 0700mountain standard time.

According to the captain, the copilot was flying the airplane from the right seat and was landing. The copilot reduced power to Vref (reference speed) and the airplane lost airspeed and lift. The captain called for more power and the copilot complied. The captain called for a go-around, then took control and applied full power but not before the airplane made a hard touch down. The captain brought the airplane around and made a full stop landing. Examination of the airplane revealed the right main landing gear strut assembly had collapsed, and fuel was leaking from the left engine wheel well. At the time of the accident, the wind was 230 degrees at 17 knots. In his written statement, the captain said he believed the hard touch down was due to wind shear.