Incident Overview
On September 15, 2017, at approximately 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210N airplane, registration N5391A, was substantially damaged during a landing accident near Watsonville, California. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and the sole passenger were not injured.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the flight and approach to landing were normal. During the landing, the airplane bounced, and he then felt a "jerk and thump." Subsequently, the pilot recalled the propeller impacting the runway surface as the airplane slid across the runway with the nose down. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed impact gouging and tire marks on the runway surface near the approach end of runway 20. The nose landing gear had separated from the airplane and was found on the runway. The airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway and exhibited impact damage to the lower fuselage and substantial damage to the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer. The inspector noted that the nose landing gear separated "straight off," and there was no evidence of mechanical anomalies. The nose landing gear linkage was found in the down and locked position.