What happened
A pilot performed a landing on the runway in a glider. During the landing sequence, the pilot described the touchdown as "firm." Upon contact with the runway, the pilot reported hearing a loud "bang" accompanied by scraping noises that continued through the rollout.
The investigation
An examination of the airframe following the incident revealed significant structural damage located around the nose landing gear. A certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, who conducted the repair work, provided a written statement regarding the condition of the components.
The inspection determined that the shock absorber was completely full of fluid. The proper service specification required the unit to contain a mixture of half fluid and half 468 psi nitrogen. Because the device was filled entirely with fluid, it functioned as a rigid device rather than a shock-absorbing one.