What happened
On Sunday, June 22, at 18:45, a Cessna 182 RG (registration F-GCHF) was performing a cross-country flight from Nantes to Avignon when the pilot notified air traffic control of landing gear issues. The pilot reported that a landing gear warning alarm had triggered following the extension of the flaps to the landing position. After performing a low-altitude pass in front of the control tower, where the controller noted the gear appeared to be extended, the pilot opted to land on the paved runway. To mitigate the risk, the pilot attempted to maintain a high pitch attitude for as long as possible during the flare. However, upon touchdown, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to slide approximately 100 meters along the runway before coming to a stop. There were no fatalities among the three occupants.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the nose gear assembly. Examination of the nose gear revealed that one of the locking pins had suffered a fatigue failure. This specific pin had excessive lateral play, which prevented the gear from fully extending by blocking the piston before it could complete its stroke. Additionally, the second locking pin showed signs of incipient cracks.
Investigators also reviewed the maintenance history and manufacturer instructions. It was noted that the manufacturer had previously issued a Service Bulletin (SEB 95-20) following similar failures, recommending an initial inspection after 200 hours of use, followed by subsequent inspections every 200 hours. A replacement kit for these pins was also available, which would have eliminated the need for periodic inspections once installed. However, the aircraft's operator, a flying club responsible for maintenance, could not locate the Service Bulletin or the installation guide for the replacement kit in their archives, and the original pins had not been replaced.