What happened
On 15 July 2002, a Beech Baron 58, registration ZS-JPM, was conducting a domestic charter flight from Londolozi aerodrome to Phinda aerodrome. During the approach to Runway 18 at Phinda, the pilot confirmed the landing gear was down and locked, receiving three green lights in the cockpit. The aircraft touched down normally on its main undercarriage; however, as the pilot transitioned the aircraft to a level attitude, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft subsequently skidded along the runway until it came to a halt.
While the pilot escaped without injury, the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including impact to the nose cowling, both engines, the nose gear doors, and both the left and right propellers.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the operator's regulatory status. The inspection of the nose undercarriage determined that the nose gear retraction rod had failed, leading to the structural collapse. Regarding the operator's documentation, it was noted that the company's Operating Certificate had expired at the time of the incident, though a renewal application had been submitted more than 30 days prior to the expiration date.
Maintenance records indicated that the most recent Maintenance Program Inspection (MPI) was completed on 16 May 2002, at 8,160.6 flying hours. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had flown an additional 68.4 hours since that inspection.