Accident Overview
A private pilot conducting a practice landing at a local airport experienced an abnormal sequence of events during touchdown. As the nose gear contacted the runway surface, the pilot applied the wheel brakes. This action resulted in the nose dropping to what was described as an 'unusually low nose-down attitude.' Subsequently, the aircraft veered sharply to the left and departed the runway surface.
Sequence of Events
After the nose gear touchdown, the pilot's brake application coincided with the nose lowering excessively. The aircraft then turned left abruptly, leaving the paved surface. An inspection of the accident site revealed that the propeller had contacted the runway shortly after the nose gear touched down.
Post-Accident Findings
Examination of the wheel brakes and nose wheel steering systems showed no evidence of malfunction or failure prior to the accident. An FAA inspector reported that two support tubes on the nose gear frame were broken, and there was evidence that the nose gear strut had been fully compressed during the touchdown.
Pilot Background
The pilot had obtained his private pilot certificate approximately three weeks before the accident and had logged about 11 hours as pilot-in-command at the time of the incident.