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A PA23 nose gear failed to lock down during landing preparation. The crew attempted several methods of locking the gear in place but the gear down indicator did not illuminate. After landing when the brakes were applied; the nose gear collapsed.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 824060 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200902 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Dusk |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | PA-23-250 Aztec |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Gear Down Lock |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 1700 Flight Crew Type 50 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
We entered the pattern left downwind using appropriate callouts on the CTAF. The pilot placed the gear in the 'down' position below the 150 mph indicated gear extension speed and felt the gear click into place; but did not receive all 3 green. The nose light was out and the crew began to troubleshoot. The copilot troubleshot by recycling the gear. Once the gear was re-extended; the same light situation prevailed. The pilot elected to do a go-around in order to solve the problem because he wanted the 3 green indications to make a safe landing. At this point the copilot called in to see if line personnel could see the nose gear. While they (line personnel) were getting into position; the pilot and copilot cycled the gear many times to try and achieve 3 green. The copilot used the hand pump as it says to on the checklist and there was no such luck. The pilot pushed the bulb in and out to make sure it was not the indicator light. The copilot/owner said 'its down&it's just the light.' the pilot tried snapping the gear in place and fishtailing in order to shake it into position. This did not work either to achieve the 3 green. The gear felt just as in place as it did the first time we cycled it. We came in on final with the nose out and asked the line personnel to yell if there was no nose gear. We came in at a safe speed and nothing was said; and completed the soft field landing on the centerline. All 3 wheels felt as if they had touched down and the plane rolled for approximately 600-700 ft and we started to apply brakes. The plane slowed and then suddenly the plane nosed over and made a small skidding stop. We knew the nose gear at this point gave way and we immediately shut down the engines and electronics. The copilot at this point opened the starboard door and the pilot put the flaps up so that no one would get hurt in exiting the craft. This was suggested by the copilot/owner. All 3 people inside exited under their own power without any injuries after the incident. The plane was not leaking any fluid and was sitting on the nose and 2 main gears. The proper authorities were contacted and the plane was removed from the runway and put into hangar on the field.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A PA23 nose gear failed to lock down during landing preparation. The crew attempted several methods of locking the gear in place but the gear down indicator did not illuminate. After landing when the brakes were applied; the nose gear collapsed.
Narrative: We entered the pattern left downwind using appropriate callouts on the CTAF. The pilot placed the gear in the 'down' position below the 150 MPH indicated gear extension speed and felt the gear click into place; but did not receive all 3 green. The nose light was out and the crew began to troubleshoot. The copilot troubleshot by recycling the gear. Once the gear was re-extended; the same light situation prevailed. The pilot elected to do a go-around in order to solve the problem because he wanted the 3 green indications to make a safe landing. At this point the copilot called in to see if line personnel could see the nose gear. While they (line personnel) were getting into position; the pilot and copilot cycled the gear many times to try and achieve 3 green. The copilot used the hand pump as it says to on the checklist and there was no such luck. The pilot pushed the bulb in and out to make sure it was not the indicator light. The copilot/owner said 'its down&it's just the light.' The pilot tried snapping the gear in place and fishtailing in order to shake it into position. This did not work either to achieve the 3 green. The gear felt just as in place as it did the first time we cycled it. We came in on final with the nose out and asked the line personnel to yell if there was no nose gear. We came in at a safe speed and nothing was said; and completed the soft field landing on the centerline. All 3 wheels felt as if they had touched down and the plane rolled for approximately 600-700 FT and we started to apply brakes. The plane slowed and then suddenly the plane nosed over and made a small skidding stop. We knew the nose gear at this point gave way and we immediately shut down the engines and electronics. The copilot at this point opened the starboard door and the pilot put the flaps up so that no one would get hurt in exiting the craft. This was suggested by the copilot/owner. All 3 people inside exited under their own power without any injuries after the incident. The plane was not leaking any fluid and was sitting on the nose and 2 main gears. The proper authorities were contacted and the plane was removed from the runway and put into hangar on the field.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.