What happened
On 29 May 2004, a Cessna 404 Titan, registration PT-WQT, was conducting aerial survey work over the Falkland Islands. The flight, operated by a Brazilian survey company, was returning to Stanley Airport following a mission over West Falkland. The crew consisted of the commander and a systems operator.
As the aircraft approached Runway 27, the pilot received reports of snow showers and significant wind conditions, with gusts reaching up to 28 knots. The pilot established a stabilized approach, managing a strong crosswind by using left aileron and right rudder. Upon touchdown, the left main wheel made contact first, followed by the right main and nose wheels.
After the aircraft was fully on the runway, the pilot reduced power to idle. However, the aircraft began to veer to the right. An attempt to correct the deviation with left rudder was met with a sudden shock in the right pedal, after which the aircraft began swerving to the left. As the pilot applied the brakes, the nose gear failed, causing the aircraft to pitch forward. The rotating propellers struck the runway surface before the aircraft came to a halt 306 metres from the threshold. There were no injuries to the two crew members.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the runway surface to determine the cause of the gear failure. The inspection of PT-WQT confirmed that the forward attachments of the nose landing gear had suffered structural failure. This damage was consistent with an overload event rather than pre-existing fatigue or defects. The examination also noted damage to all six propeller blades caused by contact with the ground.
Analysis of the runway revealed patches of ice and light snow. Marks on the runway confirmed the sequence of events, with the nosewheel tyre marks beginning 180 metres from the threshold, followed by propeller strike marks 8 metres later.
Findings
- The landing was conducted in a substantial crosswind, with a component of between 16 and 19 knots.
- The runway surface contained patches of ice and blown snow, which likely reduced adhesion.
- The structural failure of the nose landing gear was caused by excessive loads resulting from the nosewheel being deflected while encountering a dry, rough section of the runway.
- The pilot's attempts to correct the initial swing with increased rudder and nosewheel deflection, combined with the low-adhesion surface, created the stresses necessary to break the gear attachments.