On February 10, 1985, a Beech 65 (registration N212Y) operated by Jraabart Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Camarillo, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and proper landing technique, which resulted in a nose gear collapse due to overload. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft touched down on its two main landing gears simultaneously, leading to the immediate collapse of the nose gear assembly and subsequent contact with the runway surface.
What happened
A review of runway 8 revealed that the aircraft made initial contact with the pavement using both main landing gears at the same time. This simultaneous touchdown was immediately followed by the structural failure of the nose gear assembly. As a result, the nose section and both propellers came into contact with the runway surface. There were no signs of yawing during the event. The nose gear actuator assembly strut was forced upward through the top skin of the aircraft's nose structure.
The investigation
Examination of the failed components indicated that they had not suffered from mechanical defects or pre-existing conditions. Instead, all failed parts appeared to have failed as a result of overload forces generated during the impact.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and proper landing technique, which resulted in a nose gear collapse due to overload.