What happened
On 28 November 2005, a Cessna F177RG Cardinal, registration G-BFPZ, was performing a private flight from Exeter to Swansea. Following maintenance work at Exeter, the aircraft departed without any reported issues. After completing a single touch-and-go on Runway 28 at Swansea, the pilot attempted a second approach. During the gear selection process, the pilot noted a 'low voltage' warning, a 'burning' smell, and a 'gear unsafe' light, alongside the tripping of the landing gear circuit breaker.
After resetting the circuit breaker and cycling the gear, the main landing gear extended, but the nose landing gear remained in an unsafe state. The pilot attempted to extend the nose gear using both the electric system and the emergency hand pump. Despite communication with the control tower, which indicated the nose gear was only partially extended, the pilot proceeded to land with the gear in this condition. As the aircraft slowed and the nose lowered, the nose landing gear collapsed. The resulting impact caused the propeller, engine cowlings, and nose gear doors to strike the runway, though there were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
Following the accident, the aircraft underwent inspection at Swansea. The investigation established that the nose landing gear had been jammed in the bay by the remains of the bay doors. Upon removal of these doors, the nose gear was released, but a damaged torque link was discovered. The investigation also found that the nose gear's oleo had become overextended due to the collapse.
Review of maintenance records showed that the aircraft had undergone an inspection at Exeter on 9 November 2005 following a previous heavy landing. While the nose wheel had been replaced at that time, no other obvious damage was noted. Subsequent testing of the gear system revealed that the nose gear could function correctly if the circuit breaker was physically rocked from side to side.