Incident Overview
On 10 September 2010, at 1245Z, a Cessna 172RG (registration ZS-PMY) operating a private flight experienced a nose landing gear collapse while taxiing at Cape Town International Aerodrome. The aircraft had departed earlier at 1045Z with a pilot and two passengers for a local flight lasting approximately one hour and forty-five minutes.
Flight Sequence
Upon returning to FACT, the pilot was cleared to land on runway 19. Prior to landing, the landing gear was selected down and the green 'gear down' light illuminated, indicating normal operation. The pilot touched down on the main landing gear, keeping the nose wheel off the ground until elevator effectiveness was lost. Approximately 30 meters after the nose wheel touched down, the pilot noticed the nose dropping and the propeller struck the runway surface several times. He applied back pressure to raise the nose. The nose wheel then settled again without further problem, and the aircraft continued down the runway. As the pilot turned right onto taxiway Charlie to vacate runway 19, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing the propeller to strike the asphalt.
Post-Incident Actions
The pilot secured the aircraft, and all three occupants disembarked unassisted. No injuries were sustained. The aircraft was recovered by aerodrome rescue and fire-fighting personnel and taken to a maintenance facility. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear and propeller.
Investigation Findings
The aircraft was placed on jacks for inspection. Hydraulic fluid levels were normal, and no leaks were visible. When the landing gear was cycled, it extended normally but the nose landing gear would not lock down into the down lock position. However, during the incident, the green 'gear down' light had illuminated and no 'gear unsafe' audio warning activated.
The probable cause determined was the failure of one of the nose landing gear actuator down lock pins during operation. Maintenance records indicated that a similar nose gear failure had occurred on 18 May 2005, with repairs including replacement of the fork end, damper, and clamp, along with sheet metal repairs to the nose gear wheel well.