What happened
During the cockpit preflight inspection, the pilot noticed an unsafe indication regarding the nose landing gear. The pilot visually inspected the nose gear area but observed no obvious abnormalities. Based on this visual check, the pilot concluded that the issue was likely limited to a faulty indicating system rather than a mechanical failure of the gear itself.
During the takeoff roll, as the aircraft reached rotation speed, the nose gear collapsed. The loss of support caused the aircraft to slide along the runway surface. Following the accident, maintenance personnel placed the aircraft on jacks for further inspection. No malfunctions were found in the landing gear hydraulic or mechanical systems during this post-accident examination.
The investigation
A detailed physical inspection of the nose gear assembly was conducted after the incident. Investigators discovered that the nose gear leg, associated braces, and the locking mechanism were heavily coated with a mixture of grease and sand. This contamination interfered with the proper extension or retraction sequence, leading to the collapse during the critical phase of flight.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the presence of foreign material on critical landing gear components. The grease and sand accumulation prevented the nose gear from functioning correctly during rotation. The preflight check failed to identify this contamination because it relied on visual inspection of the general area rather than a detailed examination of the locking mechanisms and strut surfaces.
Safety message
Preflight inspections must include careful cleaning and checking of landing gear components for debris, grease, or sand that may not be immediately visible during a cursory glance. Contamination can impair mechanical function even when no obvious damage is present.