Incident Overview
During an FAA check ride, an aircraft experienced a nose gear extension-retraction malfunction of unknown origin while climbing out. The malfunction prevented the pilot from extending the nose gear for the subsequent landing.
Sequence of Events
According to the FAA examiner on the flight, the pilot in command (PIC) shut down both engines on final approach to minimize potential damage to the propellers and engines during the rollout. The shutdown was performed at a point that caused the loss of power to prevent the aircraft from reaching the end of the runway. As a result, the aircraft touched down short of the runway threshold. The examiner stated that the severity of the damage was aggravated by the undershoot.
The PIC provided a different account, stating that he landed in the grass beside the runway threshold, not before it. During the landing, the FAA examiner was positioned in the rear of the aircraft to assist in keeping the nose up during the rollout.
Damage Assessment
According to the PIC, damage was limited to the nose section, specifically the radar antenna, and one blade on each propeller.