Incident Summary
During approach, the flight crew attempted to lower the nose wheel landing gear using both the normal and backup extension systems, but the gear remained retracted. The aircraft subsequently executed a landing with the nose gear retracted, resulting in minor damage to the airframe.
Examination Findings
Post-incident inspection of the nose gear drag brace assembly uncovered a broken drag brace pawl block link. This component failure had locked the nose gear in the up and stowed position, preventing its extension during flight. The broken link precluded the gear from being lowered through either the primary or secondary extension methods.
Conclusion
The inability to deploy the nose landing gear was traced directly to the fractured drag brace pawl block link within the drag brace assembly. The aircraft landed with the nose gear up, sustaining only minor damage.