Approach and Landing
The pilot conducted a straight-in approach and crossed the runway threshold at an indicated airspeed of approximately 80 to 90 knots. Just before touchdown, the airplane ballooned and touched down with a higher-than-normal vertical descent rate. The nose landing gear collapsed upon impact, and the airplane skidded to a stop about 1,300 feet down the runway.
Examination of the Nose Landing Gear Down-Lock
Following the accident, the nose landing gear down-lock assembly and an exemplar down-lock were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board's materials laboratory for examination. The examination revealed that the down-lock contained a fracture that intersected the hook portion.
Microscopic analysis of the fracture surface showed a river pattern that pointed to the inner bend area of the hook, indicating the origin of the fracture. The fracture face displayed features typical of overstress separation, with no evidence of a preexisting fatigue crack. The origin area exhibited no mechanical or corrosion damage. However, contact wear was noted in the throat of the hook.