What happened
On 24 April 2016, a Pioneer 300, registration G-VOLO, was conducting a private cross-country flight from Sleap Aerodrome to Sutton Bank. During the straight-in approach to Runway 01, the pilot deployed the landing gear and confirmed three green lights, indicating the gear was down and locked. The aircraft made a smooth touchdown on its main wheels, with the pilot maintaining a nose-high attitude while decelerating without the use of brakes.
Approximately two seconds after the nosewheel made contact with the runway, the gear began to collapse. This caused the nose and propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft continued to slide in a straight line for roughly 100 feet before coming to a stop. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear motor, propeller, and engine due to shock-loading.
The investigation
Investigators examined the retraction and extension system of the aircraft, which utilizes a single electric motor to drive metal rods to the nose and main landing gear. The inquiry focused on the mechanical state of the nose gear following the impact. It was determined that the nose gear leg was not in a proper geometric downlock position at the time of the incident.
Findings
- The nose gear leg was not securely locked in the down position.
- The nose gear actuating rod attempted to transfer landing loads back to the electric motor, causing damage to the motor.
- It is suspected that the retraction/extension mechanism was misrigged or that the rigging had shifted during service.
Safety action
- The Light Aircraft Association is aware of this and similar incidents and may advise aircraft owners to conduct annual retraction tests as part of standard maintenance procedures.