Accident Details
During approach, the pilot of a Fairchild SA226 was instructed by air traffic control to enter a left base and was subsequently cleared to land. The pilot reduced airspeed to lower the landing gear, heard the gear extend, and observed three green indicator lights confirming the gear was down. The aircraft touched down on its main landing gear first, and the pilot allowed the nose to lower gradually. However, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing the nose and both propellers to strike the runway. The airplane slid approximately 3,000 feet before stopping on the right edge of the runway.
Damage
Several fractured propeller pieces impacted the left and right sides of the fuselage, substantially damaging two fuselage station bulkheads. Additionally, the fuselage bulkhead forward of the nose landing gear well was substantially damaged from contact with the runway.
Pilot and ATC Statements
The pilot reported that during the approach from base to final, he did not hear the landing gear warning horn. An air traffic control specialist stated that he observed the airplane on a 2-mile final with the gear down and saw the nose wheel collapse during the landing roll.
Maintenance Findings
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and identified two issues with the nose landing gear: the up-lock mechanism was not properly lubricated per the Fairchild SA226 Maintenance Manual (which requires lubrication every 200 hours), and a critical clearance between the bell crank roller and positioning cam was out of tolerance. Furthermore, when the throttles were retarded, the landing gear warning horn activated but was barely audible. The inspector also noted that the operator's approved maintenance inspection sheet did not include the requirement for lubrication of the main or nose landing gear every 200 hours, as specified in the maintenance manual.
Probable Cause
The operator's improper maintenance and servicing of the airplane's nose landing gear assembly, resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear during the landing roll. Contributing factors include the nose section of the airplane's subsequent contact with the runway, the impact of several fractured propeller pieces into the fuselage, and the operator's inadequate maintenance and servicing procedures.