Nose Gear On FAA Plane Collapsed During Landing

The NTSB has released its preliminary report on an accident involving two FAA inspectors on a check flight earlier this month. The nose gear of the plane they were flying collapsed, damaging the airplane but leaving both pilots uninjured.

NTSB Identification: CEN10LA302
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, June 03, 2010 in Fort Worth, TX
Aircraft: Beech C90, registration: N20
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On June 3, 2010, approximately 1430 DCT, a Beech C90, N20, registered to and operated by the FAA, was substantially damaged when the nose landing gear collapsed on landing at Alliance Fort Worth Airport (KAFW), Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The training flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The two pilots on board the airplane were not injured. The local flight originated at 1305 from KAFW.

The purpose of the flight was to maintain inspector currency. After completion of air work, the airplane proceeded to Waco (KACT), Texas, where takeoffs and landings were performed. When the landing gear was cycled, the crew heard a loud "bang" and observed a GEAR UNSAFE indication. They returned to KAFW and made a low flyby. Tower reported that the main landing gear appeared to be up but the nose landing gear did not appear to be fully extended. The airplane proceeded west of KAFW to troubleshoot the problem. After discussing the situation with the chief pilot, the director of maintenance, and Hawker-Beech, the main landing gear was manually extended and the airplane landed on runway 34L. As speed dissipated, the nose gear folded and the airplane slid to a stop.

Post-accident examination revealed the internal gears in the nose gear actuator had sheared. Additionally, there was some structural damage to the bulkhead.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov