Summary
A flight that landed on runway 15 experienced a nose wheel collapse. An FAA inspector who was present at the airport observed the aircraft on the runway with the nose wheel collapsed. According to the inspector, the nose wheel had been driven into the lower cowling with enough force to lock the control yoke in the full up position. Additionally, there was considerable wrinkling of the external skin on the fuselage and the wings.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that when he lowered the nose, the airplane touched down nose first on the runway. He could not recall any further details of the landing.
Damage Assessment
The FAA inspector noted that the extent of damage suggested an extremely hard ground contact. An inspection of the runway surface revealed an initial heavy nose wheel strike in the center of runways 15 and 21. This was followed by a single prop strike indentation in the runway about 15 feet later, and then skid marks indicating that the nose wheel had collapsed and was sliding sideways. The aircraft came to rest on the right side of the runway, approximately 250 feet from the point of initial impact.
Key Findings
- The nose wheel collapsed during landing.
- The control yoke was locked in the full up position due to the nose wheel being driven into the lower cowling.
- Skin wrinkling was observed on the fuselage and wings.
- The runway showed evidence of a heavy nose wheel strike, a prop strike, and skid marks from the collapsed nose wheel.
- The aircraft stopped 250 feet from the initial impact point.