What happened
On December 4, 2022, a Piper PA-46-310P, registered as N4372L, was performing a private flight from Stella Maris Airport on Long Island to Staniel Cay Airport in the Exuma district of the Bahamas. The flight proceeded without incident until the final stages of the landing sequence.
As the pilot approached the runway threshold at Staniel Cay, the aircraft encountered a crosswind. Although the pilot had selected the landing gear to the down position and confirmed a gear safe indication, the nose gear failed to remain properly extended. Upon touchdown, the aircraft rolled approximately 200 feet before the nose gear partially collapsed. The impact caused significant damage to the propeller.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the AAID focused on the mechanical integrity of the landing gear system. Investigators examined the aircraft's nose gear assembly to determine why the gear failed to remain locked in the extended position despite the cockpit indication suggesting it was safe.
Findings
- The investigation established that the nose gear actuator rod and rod end were both bent.
- This mechanical deformation was the primary reason the nose gear could not stay fully extended during the landing roll.
- There were no injuries to the two persons on board.
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident were within visual meteorological limits and were not considered a contributing factor to the mechanical failure.