(Pilot) Heard A Loud “Bang” As The Nose Gear Collapsed And The Nose Continued To Settle, Sliding Down The Runway Surface

Location: Bullhead City, Arizona Accident Number: WPR23LA340
Date & Time: September 5, 2023, 16:20 Local Registration: N58JB
Aircraft: Rutan Long-EZ Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot stated that when he touched down, the main landing gear contacted the runway surface, followed by the nose gear. He instantly heard a loud “bang” as the nose gear collapsed and the nose continued to settle, sliding down the runway surface. 

Examination of the nose gear revealed that the nose landing gear actuator failed due to the buckling and fracture of the ball screw, which resulted from compressive loads on the actuator assembly. These compressive loads were likely from vertical and/or aft loads on the nose wheel. The actuator was likely in the fully extended position, but the length of the accident actuator was longer than its design length at full extension. Issues with the actuator installation that might have contributed to the overextension could not be determined. 

The examination further revealed that the nose landing gear likely sustained a relatively hard landing while in the fully extended position. However, the additional length in the overextended actuator assembly made the ball screw susceptible to buckling failure from lower compressive loads than designed. Additionally, since less length of the extension tube was constrained by the housing in the overextended assembly, the reduced constraint likely made the assembly susceptible to buckling at even lower loads. The assembly’s extension beyond its design length likely contributed to the failure, as the extension would have diminished the safety margin and increased the vulnerability to buckling failure under high landing loads. 

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s improper flair resulting in a hard landing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov