What happened
Company maintenance personnel had previously replaced the nose landing gear assembly and conducted retraction tests before releasing the aircraft for flight. After takeoff, the landing gear was successfully retracted, and the flight proceeded without incident until the aircraft entered the traffic pattern for landing.
Upon entering the pattern, the nose gear failed to extend. The instructor pilot elected to land with only the main landing gears extended. The left engine and propeller were secured during the final approach. The aircraft touched down on its main landing gears. As the aircraft slowed during the landing roll, the nose pitched down, causing the right propeller to impact the ground.
The propeller separated from the aircraft upon ground impact and struck the right main landing gear. The right landing gear was severed from the aircraft, and the aircraft slid to a stop.
The investigation
Maintenance records confirmed that company personnel had replaced the nose landing gear assembly and conducted retraction tests prior to releasing the aircraft for flight. Post-accident examination revealed that the right propeller had separated from the aircraft during ground impact and struck the right main landing gear, causing it to be severed.