Incident Summary
On 12 August 1999 at 2025 hours UTC, a Piper PA-34-200T, registration G-CHEM, experienced a nose gear collapse during landing at Stapleford Tawney Airfield, Essex. The flight, a private operation, had originated from Guernsey with two crew members on board and no passengers. The weather at the destination was good, with a light variable wind, visibility exceeding 10 km, and scattered clouds at 3,500 feet. The active runway was 22L, which has a published landing distance of 900 metres, with the first 440 metres paved in asphalt and the remainder grass. The abbreviated precision approach path indicators for Runway 22L are set to a glide slope of 4.25°.
The co-pilot flew the visual approach and landing. The commander confirmed that the landing gear was down and locked, indicated by three green lights. He assessed the approach and landing as satisfactory, noting a normal touchdown on the main landing gear at the correct speed. Shortly after the nosewheel was lowered onto the runway, the nose gear leg collapsed. The aircraft slid approximately 300 metres along the runway before coming to rest on the grass area adjacent to the runway. The crew completed the necessary shut-down checks and evacuated the aircraft without difficulty. The airfield fire and rescue services arrived promptly.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Piper PA-34-200T, manufactured in 1981, powered by two Continental TSIO-360-EB1 piston engines. The commander held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, was 42 years old, and had accumulated 2,940 total flying hours, including 400 hours on type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 87 hours, and in the last 28 days, 40 hours.
Investigation
The maintenance organization examined the aircraft and determined that there had been a mechanical failure of the nose gear down lock. They also observed distortions in the nose gear locking mechanism, which they considered indicative of previous heavy landings. It was their opinion that these distortions had ultimately led to the mechanical failure of the nose gear down lock. The aircraft sustained damage to the propellers, nose gear, and nose gear door.