On September 15, 2017, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210N airplane, N5391A, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Watsonville, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that the flight and approach to landing were normal. During the landing, the airplane bounced, and he felt a “jerk and thump.” The next thing he recalled was 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.

A postaccident examination of the airplane and accident site 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 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 in the down and locked position.