Accident Overview
On March 1, 2016, at 1543 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration N1982F, was substantially damaged after a nose gear collapse during landing rollout at McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport (SSI), Brunswick, Georgia. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight departed from Florida Keys Marathon Airport (MTH), Marathon, Florida, about 1330. During the first approach to runway 16 at SSI, the pilot performed a go-around due to conflicting traffic. On the second approach, he configured the airplane with manifold pressure at 16 inches, landing gear extended, and flaps at 36°, maintaining an airspeed of 85 to 90 knots. The automated surface observation system reported wind varying between 140° and 190° at 10 knots; however, the pilot observed the windsock and a flag and estimated stronger gusts up to 15 knots. As the airplane approached, wind gusts made it difficult to keep the airplane level. Just before touchdown, the pilot felt left-quartering gusts. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear normally. As the nose gear contacted the runway, the pilot heard a "pop" and began losing nose control. He applied aft pressure on the control wheel and maintained directional control until the airplane stopped. The pilot then instructed passengers to evacuate, performed emergency shutdown procedures, and egressed. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions and stated that the main landing gear remained on the ground after touchdown.
Damage and Examination
An FAA inspector examined the airplane and found substantial damage. The nose landing gear bay exhibited crush damage, the firewall was deformed, the wing leading edges were dented, and the fuselage had compression buckling on the top and sides forward of the windscreen. The nose landing gear assembly remained attached on the left side, but the attaching bolt was bent; the right side mounting point was broken and separated. The nose landing gear actuator extended 6.8 inches, which, according to the manufacturer, was consistent with the down-and-locked position. The nose gear assembly showed gouging and missing material consistent with ground impact. One composite propeller blade separated near the root, and the other two blades had tip damage and leading edge scraping.
Runway Evidence
Examination of runway 16 revealed scrape marks consistent with propeller strikes along the centerline, about 800 feet from the threshold. There were 15 scrapes in a row, each about 12 inches long, oriented perpendicular to the runway, spanning about 15 feet. About 2,000 feet down the runway and 20 feet right of centerline, similar propeller scrapes were observed, followed by longitudinal scars about 20 feet long, consistent with cowling color from the nose gear area. No marks were evident for the next 150 feet, then longitudinal scrapes resumed at the runway's right edge and continued approximately 250 feet to where the airplane came to rest on the paved area along the right side of the runway.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2012. Its most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on October 14, 2015, at which time the airplane had accumulated 569 total flight hours. The recorded wind at SSI at 1553 was from 150° at 9 knots.