Probable cause
The nose landing gear collapse for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.
NTSB analysis
The two pilots, both of whom were flight instructors, were practicing a single-engine approach and landing when the incident occurred. Both pilots reported that all three landing gear position lights indicated that the landing gear were down and locked before landing, and the pilot flying described the landing as "normal." During the landing roll, the pilot not flying observed the landing gear position lights flicker, and the nose landing gear subsequently collapsed. The airplane was subsequently placed on jacks, and the landing gear were cycled. The landing gear extended, locked, and retracted normally, and the flickering of the gear position lights could not be replicated.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14IA370 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 31, 2014
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Cecil Airport (VQQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-44-180
- N-number
- N216FW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.