What happened
On 26 May 1998, a Piper PA-250 Aztec, registration G-RVRC, was involved in a ground incident at Luton Airport, Bedfordshire. The aircraft, operating as a public transport flight, had completed a standard landing and was in the process of decelerating. As the pilot performed a 180-degree turn on the runway to begin the backtrace and vacate the area, they noted unusual steering resistance.
While the aircraft was moving at walking speed and straightening from the turn, it began to shudder. The aircraft then experienced a sudden pitch-down motion and came to a complete stop. The pilot immediately shut down the engines and informed the airport tower. Upon exiting the aircraft, the pilot observed that the nosewheel had become detached and was lying loose behind the extended noseleg.
The investigation
Following the incident, the AAIB examined the runway and the aircraft. No other debris or loose components were found on the runway surface prior to it being swept. Investigators focused on the structural integrity of the nosewheel assembly. Although it was suspected that the nosewheel fork had fractured, the investigation noted that the subsequent abrasion caused by the aircraft's movement had destroyed the specific area where the fracture had occurred, making a detailed metallurgical analysis of the break point difficult.