Incident Sequence
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the nose gear made contact with an object on the runway. Debris, including chunks of gravel and asphalt, was present on the first 800 feet of the runway. Attempting to retract the nose gear, the pilot was unable to achieve full retraction and therefore continued the flight with the gear partially extended.
After reducing engine power to 2000 rpm, the airplane began to experience violent vibrations. In response, the pilot extended the nose gear and shut down the engine in preparation for landing. However, during the landing, the nose gear collapsed.
Witnesses on the ground reported seeing an object fall from the airplane during flight.
Examination Findings
Post-incident examination of the aircraft revealed that a 20-inch section of one propeller blade was missing. The propeller, constructed of wood, had a documented history of damage, with repairs conducted by the pilot.