August 1, 2012, Titusville, Fla., Piper PA-44-180 Seminole

The airplane was substantially damaged when its nose landing gear collapsed on landing. The CFI, a private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the CFI, the airplane was released from maintenance for a faulty nosegear indicator light the day before. While practicing ILS approaches, the nosegear indicator light did not indicate down and locked. However, the flight instructor observed the nose gear was extended.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose landing gear collapsed during landing, though no injuries occurred to the three occupants.
The aircraft had been released from maintenance the day prior for a faulty nose gear indicator light, which continued to malfunction during the incident flight despite the CFI observing the gear extended.
Post-incident examination revealed the nose landing gear components were out of adjustment and the hydraulic reservoir was empty, leading to the collapse.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The airplane was substantially damaged when its nose landing gear collapsed on landing. The CFI, a private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

According to the CFI, the airplane was released from maintenance for a faulty nosegear indicator light the day before. While practicing ILS approaches, the nosegear indicator light did not indicate down and locked. However, the flight instructor observed the nose gear was extended. He cycled the landing gear without any changes to the nosegear indicator light and subsequently attempted to land. The airplane landed on the main landing gear but the nose landing gear collapsed at it touched down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage around the nose gear. Examination revealed nose landing gear components were out of adjustment and the hydraulic reservoir was empty.