Accident Overview
On 4 November 2002, a Cessna 210M (registration ZS-LWA) operated by a Part 141 approved training organization was involved in an accident during a training flight at Nelspruit Airport (FANS). The aircraft was conducting circuits, and on the second approach, the pilot noticed the absence of a gear-down lock indication.
Flight Details
The flight departed from Nelspruit and was returning to the same airport for landing. The pilot used the emergency gear extension system and then performed a low pass to request the tower to visually check the landing gear position. The air traffic controller reported that the gear appeared to be extended. However, upon touchdown, the nose gear collapsed, causing the propeller to strike the runway. The aircraft sustained minor damage, but neither the pilot nor the one passenger were injured.
Post-Accident Inspection
After the accident, the pilot inspected the aircraft and discovered a piece of cloth lodged in the nose wheel locking mechanism. This foreign object prevented the nose gear from extending fully. The aircraft's last mandatory periodic inspection had been completed on 5 October 2002 at 2,688.5 total airframe hours, and the aircraft had flown 9.0 hours since that inspection. No on-site investigation was conducted.
Probable Cause
The pilot did an inadequate pre-flight inspection and failed to notice a piece of cloth found in the nose wheel locking mechanism which prevented the nose gear from extending properly and caused it to collapse on landing.