Pilot Debrief

BUTLER AIRCRAFT COMPANY AEROSTAR near Brooksville, FL — 2009-10-01

Final reportERA10LA009
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Date
2009-10-01
Location
Brooksville, FL, USA
Airport
BKV
Aircraft
BUTLER AIRCRAFT COMPANY AEROSTAR
Registration
N81FW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The collapse of the nose landing gear during landing rollout for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner selected the landing gear to the extended position in preparation for landing. The amber light, which was designed to illuminate temporarily to indicate that the gear was in transit, did not illuminate during the gear extension, but all other indications were normal. After touchdown on the paved runway, the nose gear did not remain extended and the airplane pitched down until the nose contacted the runway surface. The airplane came to a stop on the runway and sustained substantial damage. Preliminary examination revealed that the cockpit landing gear position indicator lights functioned properly. However, lack of replacement parts availability had prevented the repair of the airplane through at least January 2011, and the detailed functional checks and examinations that were planned to be conducted concurrently with the repair have not been accomplished. Maintenance records documented several recent, preaccident repairs to the nose and main landing gear systems, but it could not be determined whether the nose gear collapse was related to those maintenance activities.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pre-takeoff check of the landing gear warning horn system was not performed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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