What happened
On 21 July 2002, a Gulfstream AA-5B Tiger, registration G-DONI, was completing a private cross-country flight from Shoreham to Compton Abbas. During the initial approach to Runway 26, the pilot determined that the aircraft would not be able to stop within the remaining runway length due to a slight tailwind. Consequently, the pilot executed a successful go-around.
Following an announcement from the airfield information service regarding a runway change to Runway 08, the pilot elected to delay the landing until the runway transition was complete. After the necessary ground traffic had departed, the pilot rejoined the circuit for a second approach on Runway 08. The aircraft approached with full flaps at approximately 70 kt.
Upon touchdown, the main wheels made contact first, followed by the nose wheel. The aircraft subsequently bounced back into the air. While the pilot managed to correct a left wing drop and held the nose up for a second touchdown, a loud bang occurred during this second contact. The aircraft pitched forward onto its nose and slid along the runway. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage to the nose landing gear, propeller tips, and the engine bulkhead.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the aircraft accident report and conducted inquiries with the repair agency. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the nose leg had folded backward from a point just ahead of the shock absorber attachments, leaving the wheel pressed against the underside of the fuselage. The inspection further identified that the suspension torque tube had fractured approximately eight inches on either side of the nose-leg attachment point, which also caused local damage to the firewall bulkhead.