What happened
During the approach for landing, the pilot confirmed that the pre-landing checklist was completed satisfactorily. The gear down indicator light illuminated, and the pilot visually verified that the nose wheel was visible in the wing mirror. The main landing gear made contact with the runway approximately 100 feet past the displaced threshold. However, the pilot did not feel the nose gear touch the ground. Shortly after touchdown, a distinct sound indicated that the left propeller struck the pavement first.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the mechanical cause of the incident. Inspectors focused on the landing gear assembly, specifically the nose wheel well. The inspection revealed that the transmission mounting bracket within the nose wheel well had failed. The bracket was found broken out of its channel assembly, indicating a structural failure in the support mechanism for the nose gear.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the failure of the nose landing gear to contact the runway during the initial touchdown phase. This was directly linked to the broken transmission mounting bracket, which compromised the structural integrity of the nose wheel assembly. The pilot's visual and auditory cues confirmed that while the main gear touched down, the nose gear did not follow suit immediately, leading to the propeller strike.
Safety message
This incident highlights the importance of monitoring landing gear status beyond just indicator lights. Visual confirmation is critical, but mechanical failures can occur even when systems appear normal. Pilots should be aware that structural integrity of the landing gear assembly is essential for safe operation during the critical touchdown phase.