Amateur-built LANCAIR IV P PROPJET N992BC accident near Addison, Texas

Probable cause

Collapse of the nose landing gear during landing for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination did not detect any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot reported that, on his initial approach for landing in the experimental, amateur-built, turboprop-equipped airplane, a gust of wind caused the airplane to "balloon" and that he elected to execute a go-around. On the second approach, the airplane touched down "just left" of the runway centerline. However, when the pilot placed the propeller into beta, the nose landing gear collapsed. He was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway. He "felt a loud bang" after the airplane exited the runway pavement.

Video footage depicted that the airplane initially touched down on the right main landing gear, followed by the left main landing gear. The right main wheel appeared to leave the pavement momentarily before settling back down. Shortly afterward, the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently veered to the right and departed the runway pavement. The airplane continued to travel through the grass area adjacent to the runway and rotated abruptly to the right immediately before coming to rest.

A postaccident examination of the airplane landing gear system did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The nose landing gear strut, wheel assembly, support structure, and extension/retraction linkage appeared to be intact. In the absence of any confirmed failures related to the nose landing gear installation, the cause for the nose landing gear collapse could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA153 for the full record.