What happened
The aircraft was conducting a long straight-in approach from approximately three miles out when it experienced a sudden loss of power. Recognizing that the runway was no longer reachable, the pilot initiated an emergency diversion to a nearby highway.
During the descent toward the highway, the pilot encountered overhead wires and dove to avoid them. This maneuver caused the nose gear to strike the ground, shearing it off completely. The aircraft skidded for approximately 270 feet before coming to rest in a ditch.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the landing gear and the circumstances leading to the loss of power. Examination confirmed that the nose gear was sheared off due to impact with the ground during the evasive maneuver. The aircraft sustained significant damage from the skid and subsequent ditching.
Findings
Contributing factors included the initial loss of power during approach and the necessity of an emergency landing on a highway. The pilot's decision to dive to avoid wires resulted in the structural failure of the nose gear. The aircraft was unable to maintain controlled flight after the gear failure, leading to the final impact with the ditch.
Safety message
Pilots should be prepared for sudden power loss during approach and consider alternative landing sites early. Avoiding obstacles such as wires may require precise altitude management to prevent structural damage during emergency landings.