Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA46 near Brunswick, GA — 2016-03-01

Final reportERA16LA121
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Date
2016-03-01
Location
Brunswick, GA, USA
Airport
SSI
Aircraft
PIPER PA46
Registration
N1982F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A hard landing, which resulted in the collapse of the nose gear assembly due to an overstress fracture and separation of the right side mounting point.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, after a normal landing on the main landing gear in gusty quartering headwind conditions, the nose gear touched down and he heard a "pop," then he "started losing control of the airplane." The nose continued to drop past the normal landing attitude while the pilot applied back pressure to the yoke and focused his attention on stopping the airplane and maintaining directional control. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the nose landing gear revealed that the actuator was extended 6.8 inches, consistent with the nose gear being down and locked. This area of the nose gear assembly displayed gouging and missing material consistent with ground impact. The nose landing gear assembly was attached on the left side; however, the bolt was bent and the right side mounting point was fractured and separated from its attachment point, displaying fracture features consistent with overstress failure, which was likely the result of a hard landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing earlier due to wind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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