What happened
The pilot was operating an aircraft when he reported hearing a distinct 'thump' during the takeoff phase from Orlando West Arpt. He initially attributed the noise to the grass strip beneath the runway. Upon arrival at Sebring Arpt, the pilot heard a scraping sound as he lowered the nose for landing. Concerned about potential damage, he elected to go around.
On the subsequent approach, the pilot became convinced that the nosewheel had been lost prior to landing. To prevent further damage or loss of control, he decided to shut down the engine before touchdown. He allowed the nose to settle onto the runway surface and slid the aircraft to a complete stop.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed that the nosewheel was indeed missing. The nose strut was bent aft, indicating significant stress during the event. Additionally, the tips of the propeller blades were found to be bent. A sheriff's investigator noted that the aircraft door appeared to have detached in flight. All interior seats were missing except for the pilot's seat. Marijuana residue was also discovered inside the aircraft.
Findings
Contributing factors included the loss of the nosewheel and the subsequent door detachment. The mechanical state of the nose strut and propeller blades confirmed the severity of the impact with the ground during the dead-stick landing.