History of Flight
At 0520Z on 6 January 2019, a Cirrus SR22T, registration ZS-ARI, departed from Runway 07 at Lanseria International Aerodrome (FALA) for circuit exercises related to a private pilot licence renewal. The aircraft carried a pilot and one passenger. The first circuit was completed without incident. During the second circuit, the aircraft landed on Runway 07 at 0523Z. While on the ground roll, the nose landing gear collapsed. The propeller struck the runway surface, and the aircraft skidded approximately 30 meters before coming to a stop on the runway centerline.
Injuries and Damage
Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries; both disembarked without assistance. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear, propeller, and engine cowling. Minor damage was recorded.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose gear strut tube had failed below the gusset tube welds. The nose landing gear (NLG) strut assembly collapsed due to a fractured strut tube adjacent to the forward edge of the gusset tube attachment welds. The investigation concluded it was probable that the fracture resulted from an undetected fatigue crack.
The aircraft had accumulated 348.6 total airframe hours. A review of maintenance records indicated compliance with all relevant service bulletins, including SB2X-32-22R2 (issued 12 April 2016, revised 5 January 2018), which required inspections for cracks in the nose gear. The last inspection was performed on 19 September 2018 at 335.1 hours, with no cracks identified. The aircraft had operated 13.5 hours since that inspection.
Meteorological and Other Conditions
The incident occurred during daylight visual meteorological conditions. Wind was from 100 degrees at 3 knots, visibility CAVOK, temperature 19°C, dew point 14°C, QNH 1020 hPa. The pilot held a valid private pilot licence with type endorsement and had 1585 total flight hours, including 700 hours on type. The aircraft was not equipped with flight data or cockpit voice recorders, as not required. No pre- or post-impact fire was noted.