On July 22, 1985, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N2193Z) operated by Omni Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Avalon, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a landing, the nose gear collapsed after a smooth touchdown, causing the aircraft to slide 200 feet. Examination revealed a separated actuator rod with overload signatures and puncture of the fuselage.
Landing and Gear Collapse
The pilot and a ground witness reported that the aircraft touched down in a smooth, soft manner, with the main wheels contacting the runway first. Immediately after touchdown, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft then slid for approximately 200 feet before coming to rest.
Post-Incident Examination
An examination of the nose gear assembly disclosed that the gear actuator rod had separated. Microscopic examination of the fractured surface revealed overload signatures. The nose gear fork assembly punctured the fuselage skin, causing the fork assembly to penetrate the aircraft structure. Additionally, both wings exhibited extensive wrinkling on the inboard section lower surfaces.