Incident Details
On February 1, 2022, at 1230 eastern standard time, a Piper PA46-350P, registration N35CM, was substantially damaged during a landing accident at Crystal River Airport (CGC) in Crystal River, Florida. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Landing Sequence
The pilot stated that the airplane touched down near the beginning of turf runway 18 at an indicated speed of about 70 knots. Normal braking was applied, and the airplane drifted slightly to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot then applied "less right brake and more left rudder," which corrected the airplane back toward the centerline. After the speed decreased to "below 20 knots," the nosewheel suddenly collapsed. Tire marks on the runway near the end of the rollout indicated a veer to the left.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane continued approximately 20 feet after the nose gear collapsed. The lower engine mount, to which the nose gear trunnion was attached, was substantially damaged. Remnants of grass were found along the circumference of the nose gear wheel, between the wheel rim and the tire. Airport personnel recovered a fractured bolt and a fractured landing gear trunnion fitting from the runway. Examination of the fractures showed they were consistent with overload, with the bolt exhibiting features consistent with tension and bending.