Introduction
On 17 October 2006, a Piper PA32R-301 aircraft (registration ZS-NVB) experienced a nose landing gear collapse during a conversion training flight at Krugersdorp Aerodrome (FAKR). The aircraft, engaged in a training operation, was conducting landings on Runway 08 under crosswind conditions. No injuries were reported among the two occupants, and no fatalities occurred.
Incident Details
The flight involved an instructor and the aircraft owner undergoing conversion training. According to the instructor, general flying exercises were performed before preparing for landing. A crosswind condition prevailed, and the crew set up for a crosswind landing using right rudder and aileron inputs to maintain level. An eyewitness reported that the aircraft bounced and then "wheel barrowed" on the nose wheel. This led to an overload failure of the nose landing gear down-lock mechanism, causing the gear to collapse. Subsequently, the propeller made contact with the runway surface.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft had accumulated 2945 airframe hours at the time of the incident. The last Mandatory Periodic Inspection was certified on 15 June 2006 at 2857.01 airframe hours, with a Certificate of Release to Service issued until 14 June 2007 or 2957.01 airframe hours. All applicable Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins were complied with during that inspection. The aircraft type was accepted in South Africa.
The involved Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO No.85) had been audited on 15 September 2005 by the SACAA, with two major findings raised and an action plan submitted. An AMO Approval was issued on 1 October 2005, valid until 30 September 2006. The last surveillance inspection prior to the incident at the AMO occurred on 28 September 2004.
The training was conducted under Aviation Training Organisation number CAA0082, which held a valid approval issued on 21 August 2006 and expiring on 31 July 2007.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was poor landing technique, where the pilot allowed the aircraft to bounce during landing and touched down on the nose wheel, causing the nose landing gear to collapse. A contributory factor was the lack of instructor intervention.