What happened
The pilots reported that the landing gear had been extended before entering the traffic pattern. The approach proceeded normally, with the airplane settling onto the runway from an altitude of approximately 5 feet. Upon touchdown, the main landing gear made contact first, followed by the nose landing gear. Immediately after the nose gear touched the surface, it collapsed. The aircraft then skidded for approximately 600 feet before coming to a stop on the runway. The occupants were not injured.
The investigation
Post-accident inspection of the nose landing gear revealed that the actuator had separated from its mounting. However, no other damage was identified on the nose landing gear assembly. A Safety Board Metallurgist examined the actuator and determined that the failure was consistent with overstress.
According to the aircraft manufacturer, a failure limited solely to the actuator would not prevent the nose landing gear from being extended and locked. This suggested that either the landing gear had been improperly rigged or the gear was still in the process of transitioning (in travel) at the moment of touchdown. Maintenance records indicated that the landing gear rigging had been verified during the most recent annual inspection, and no maintenance had been performed on the landing gear system between that inspection and the accident.