Piper PA-28R-180 Emergency Landing Without Nose Gear at Viña del Mar Aerodrome

Overview and Occurrence Details On 12 November 2023, at 15:53 local time (18:53 UTC), a Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-28R-180 (Arrow) made an emergency landing on runway 23 at the Aeródromo de Viña del Mar (SCVM), located in the Valparaíso Region. The aircraft came to rest on the runway, 245 meters from the threshold of runway 23. The event occurred during the return leg of a recreational flight. The pilot, holding a Private Pilot License for single-engine land aircraft, was accompanied by three passengers. All four occupants exited the aircraft under their own power and were reported uninjured. The emergency transmitter (ELT) was not activated. ## Aircraft and Maintenance Information The aircraft was a 1968 Piper PA-28R-180, serial number 28R-30904, with 1,784.5 hours of service. Its maximum certified takeoff weight was 2,500 pounds, and its empty weight was 1,551 pounds. The last annual inspection was performed on 16 December 2022 at 1,759.1 hours of service by an approved maintenance organization, and the aircraft was certified airworthy. On 6 February 2023, the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) issued the fourth extension of the standard airworthiness certificate, valid until 30 November 2024. The last transponder inspection and test was conducted on 21 June 2023 at 1,774.8 hours of service. ## Damage and Post-Accident Findings The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, engine cowling, nose landing gear, and cabin heating system. Both propeller blades were deformed and worn, attributed to contact with the runway surface. The lower engine cowling and exhaust ducts showed wear. The nose gear leg door, shock strut housing, shimmy damper, steering arm, and lower drag link exhibited wear. The nose gear was found locked and up. The normal and emergency landing gear handles were both in the down position. Post-accident testing confirmed that only the main gear legs extended, while the nose gear remained locked during its downward travel and did not fully extend. The cabin heating system suffered a fractured heat exchanger shroud assembly, partial detachment of a rib, a deformed hot air outlet duct, and a cut flexible hose. ## Operational and Environmental Context The pilot notified the SCVM air traffic service of the emergency. Meteorological data at 18:00 UTC indicated winds from 270° at 7 knots, unlimited visibility, scattered clouds at 2,300 feet, overcast at 3,300 feet, a temperature of 15°C, a dew point of 10°C, and a QNH of 1018 hPa. At 19:00 UTC, winds were from 250° at 8 knots, with unlimited visibility, scattered clouds at 2,300 feet, a temperature of 15°C, a dew point of 10°C, and a QNH of 1018 hPa. The pilot recorded a discrepancy in the flight log after the event, noting that during normal and emergency gear extension procedures, the nose gear down and locked light did not illuminate, and the aircraft ultimately landed at Torquemada aerodrome without the nose gear. The pilot and aircraft belonged to an aviation club. The pilot had one previous accident on 25 November 2005. The investigation remains in progress, with the final report under review.