Nose Landing Gear Collapse During Flight Check Due to Unreported Runway Hazard

Casualties unknown • Nenana, AK, US

A commercial air taxi pilot experienced a nose landing gear collapse on a turf runway after an unseen hole caused the nosewheel to enter it during a competency check.

What happened

During a routine competency flight check, a commercial air taxi pilot-in-command (PIC) was performing maneuvers under the direction of an FAA inspector. As part of the check, the inspector instructed the pilot to land on a turf runway and stop before a specific designated spot on the field.

While the initial landing was uneventful, the pilot was unable to bring the aircraft to a halt before reaching the designated point. As the airplane continued to roll down the turf runway, it encountered a large, previously unseen hole located near the midfield of the field. The nosewheel entered the depression, which resulted in the subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear.

The pilot was not injured during the incident. Prior to the flight, the pilot had received a standard weather briefing via telephone from an FAA Flight Service Station specialist; however, no information regarding the hazard on the runway was provided during that briefing.

Probable cause

The failure to provide the pilot with an active NOTAM regarding a significant hole on the runway during the weather briefing.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-07-14 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Nenana, AK?

A commercial air taxi pilot experienced a nose landing gear collapse on a turf runway after an unseen hole caused the nosewheel to enter it during a competency check.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-07-14 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N8698N, operated by Bellair, Inc., at Nenana, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The failure to provide the pilot with an active NOTAM regarding a significant hole on the runway during the weather briefing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10450. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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