Incident Overview
On May 17, 2017, at approximately 10:25 local time, a Mooney M20P (registration HB-DFF) was landing on runway 28 at St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport (LSZR). After touchdown, as the nose wheel was being lowered, the nose gear collapsed backward. The propeller struck the runway surface. The aircraft then skidded on its nose for about 30 to 35 meters before coming to a stop. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The nose gear struts were broken, but no parts of the nose landing gear became detached.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was owned and operated by Verein delta-fox-fox. The pilot, a Swiss national born in 1951, held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) issued by EASA through the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation. The pilot had a total flying experience of 269 hours and 30 minutes, with 3 hours and 28 minutes in the last 90 days, and 19 hours and 39 minutes on the accident aircraft type, with 3 hours and 28 minutes in the last 90 days.
Investigation
Because the technical defect or airworthiness limitation was restricted to the landing gear, the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) concluded the investigation with a summary report in accordance with Art. 46 lit. b of the Ordinance on the Safety Investigation of Transport Incidents (VSZV). The report was issued on October 3, 2017.
Findings
The nose gear collapsed during the landing roll. The propeller struck the runway, and the aircraft slid on its nose for a distance of approximately 30 to 35 meters. The pilot was uninjured. The nose gear struts were broken, but no parts separated from the aircraft.