On May 13, 1998, a Piper PA-22-135 (registration N1142C) was involved in an aviation accident near Winchester, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper landing technique, which resulted in a nosewheel-first touchdown and subsequent gear collapse, attributed to distraction from a sick passenger. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A light aircraft sustained nose landing gear damage following a nosewheel-first touchdown on runway 32, attributed to pilot distraction caused by a sick passenger.
What happened
The pilot reported that during the landing phase on runway 32, the aircraft touched down with the nosewheel contacting the pavement before the main wheels. Following this initial contact, the nose gear collapsed, causing the airplane to come to rest approximately 100 feet beyond the point of touchdown.
The pilot stated that he was distracted during the landing maneuver because his passenger was ill and vomiting. He confirmed there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the incident.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft revealed damage consistent with a nosewheel-first impact. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical issues, indicating the collapse was a result of the landing technique rather than a structural failure.
Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing technique, which resulted in a nosewheel-first touchdown and subsequent gear collapse, attributed to distraction from a sick passenger.