What happened
On 9 October 2005, a Cessna U206 Super Skywagon, registration G-ATCE, was returning to the Lewknor dropping zone in Oxfordshire following a refueling stop at Wycombe Air Park. The flight was being conducted as a private operation. The pilot prepared for a straight-in approach to Runway 33, utilizing 40 degrees of flaps and maintaining a trim for 70 mph. While the approach remained stable despite minor turbulence over a nearby ridge, the aircraft encountered a significant bump in the runway surface shortly after touchdown.
Following this impact, the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot noted that the propeller blades began striking the ground, and the aircraft was pushed back into the air before eventually sliding off the right side of the runway. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft safely through the sliding door, and no injuries were reported.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the structural integrity of the nose landing gear and the impact of the runway surface. Investigators examined the nose landing gear strut and its associated support structure for any signs of prior fatigue or damage. No evidence of pre-existing damage was found in the gear assembly or the airframe.
Findings
- The aircraft struck a pronounced bump in the runway surface approximately one-fifth of the way along the runway length.
- The impact with this bump caused the nose landing gear to fail.
- The pilot reported hearing an unusual mechanical noise during the landing sequence.
- The nose gear detached from the aircraft and was found lying further back along the runway after the aircraft came to a halt.