What happened
On 8 January 2017, a Pioneer 300 Hawk, registration G-CFUE, was completing a private local flight when it experienced an incident upon landing at Westonzoyland Airfield, Somerset. As the aircraft approached the runway, it floated before making contact with the main landing gear. During the process of lowering the nosewheel, the pilot heard a loud bang and noted a sensation of instability. The nosewheel subsequently detached, causing the aircraft to drop onto its nose. The impact resulted in the propeller breaking upon contact with the ground. The aircraft slid along the surface before coming to a stop. The pilot sustained no injuries and was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
An examination conducted by the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) focused on the structural failure of the landing gear. Investigators determined that the nosewheel and the associated fork assembly had separated from the airframe due to an overload. The investigation revealed that the overcentre mechanism for the nose landing gear was in a locked position. Furthermore, the forces generated during the impact were significant enough to cause rearward distortion of the aircraft's firewall. The damage patterns suggested that the nose gear had been subjected to heavy loads, likely as a result of wheelbarrowing during the landing sequence.
Findings
- The nosewheel and fork assembly failed due to excessive loading.
- The nose landing gear overcentre mechanism was found to be locked.
- The landing sequence involved heavy loads on the nose gear, potentially caused by the aircraft being flown on its main gear in a manner that placed undue stress on the nose assembly.