July 6, 2012, Auburn, Ala., Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage

At approximately 1455 Central time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose landing gear collapsed during landing. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.As the airplane touched down on the runway, the pilot held the yoke back and allowed the nose landing gear to “ease down.” As the nose landing gear contacted the runway, the pilot heard the sound of a “squealing tire.” The airplane veered to the right, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane exited the right side of the runway, where it came to rest in the grass. Preliminary examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and left wing. Tire skid marks on the runway were consistent with the nose landing gear tire contacting the runway at an approximate 90-degree angle to the airplane’s longitudinal axis.

Key Takeaways:

• An airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose landing gear collapsed during landing, leading it to veer right and exit the runway.
• The incident occurred as the nose landing gear contacted the runway, with tire skid marks indicating it hit at an approximate 90-degree angle to the airplane's longitudinal axis.
• The solo commercial pilot was uninjured, despite substantial damage to the engine firewall and left wing.

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