Incident Overview
An airplane experienced a nose gear collapse while taxiing after executing a forced landing, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The incident occurred when the pilot, who had taken off from a private runway at a neighbor's property, encountered mechanical problems with the throttle during flight.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot's oral statement, while flying he experienced mechanical problems related to the throttle, which necessitated a forced landing in a field. The pilot stated that he landed without incident but while taxiing, the front wheel collapsed in the rough terrain.
In a written statement, the pilot provided further details. He wrote that after takeoff, he was trying to taxi on a private grass strip measuring 36 by 18 feet. While attempting to clear the engine by applying full power with full flaps to load the motor, he pulled back on the throttle to turn around, at which point the throttle broke. In panic, he performed a crow hop of 50 feet, turned off the engine, landed across a road, and then taxied ahead. During taxi, he hit a farmer's plowed furrow, resulting in the nose wheel breaking off.
Witness Observations
Witnesses observed the airplane take off and later descend into a nursery.