What happened
During the final phase of the approach, the aircraft entered the landing flare sequence. According to the pilot's account, a gust of wind struck the aircraft from the rear during this critical moment. This aerodynamic disturbance caused the aircraft to touch down prematurely on the nose gear rather than the main landing gear.
Following the initial contact, the aircraft began to porpoise, bouncing along the runway surface. The repeated vertical forces generated during these subsequent bounces exceeded the structural limits of the landing gear assembly. Consequently, the nose gear collapsed under the stress. With the support of the nose gear lost, the aircraft pitched forward violently and nosed over. It then departed the side of the runway, coming to rest off the paved surface.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the landing gear and the sequence of events leading to the collapse. Examination revealed that the nose gear failed during the porpoising motion induced by the initial nose-down contact. The pilot attributed the loss of control and subsequent structural failure to the wind gust encountered during the flare.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the premature touchdown on the nose gear during the landing flare. Contributing to the severity of the outcome was the collapse of the nose gear as a result of the porpoising motion. The pilot reported that a gust of wind from the rear played a significant role in disrupting the aircraft's attitude at touchdown.
Safety message
Proper management of airspeed and descent rate during the landing flare is critical to ensure main gear contact first. Pilots must be prepared for wind shear or gusty conditions that can alter aircraft pitch attitudes unexpectedly during the final moments before touchdown.