What happened
During the final approach, the crew attempted to extend the landing gear, but the nose gear unsafe light illuminated. The pilot performed a low fly-fly-by, during which air traffic control personnel observed that the nose gear appeared to be in the retracted position. Following consultation with the company's maintenance department, the crew made several unsuccessful attempts to lower the nose gear. Consequently, the aircraft completed a nose gear-up landing.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the nose landing gear center spray deflector had fractured and rotated, which prevented the gear from extending. This component is designed to deflect water and runway debris away from the rear-mounted engines to prevent engine damage or flameouts. Investigation showed that approximately one-third of the spray deflector had broken off. Laboratory testing determined that the fracture was caused by overstress. Additionally, the nose gear doors sustained scraping, and the aluminum skin located just aft of the nose wheel well was scraped through, exposing five longerons and six stringers and compromising the aircraft's pressure vessel.