Incident Overview
Following a normal takeoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear and noted that the main gear indicator lights extinguished, but the gear light remained illuminated. The pilot cycled the landing gear, but the same indication persisted. Subsequently, the pilot selected the gear down and received a three-green indication (all gear down and locked). The aircraft returned for landing.
Landing and Nose Gear Collapse
During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed. No injuries were reported as a result of the collapse.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft’s landing gear system revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. However, the mechanic who inspected the aircraft stated that due to the extreme low temperature conditions at the time, the nose gear actuator may have frozen. This freezing could have prevented the nose gear from completing a full range of travel to either the up-lock or down-lock position.
Conclusion
The incident occurred when the nose gear collapsed during the landing roll, despite the cockpit indication showing all gear down and locked. The investigation did not identify any mechanical failure, but ambient temperature conditions were noted as a potential factor in the actuator's performance.