Probable cause
A hard landing, which resulted in the collapse of the nose gear assembly due to an overstress fracture and separation of the right side mounting point.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot reported that, after a normal landing on the main landing gear in gusty quartering headwind conditions, the nose gear touched down and he heard a "pop," then he "started losing control of the airplane." The nose continued to drop past the normal landing attitude while the pilot applied back pressure to the yoke and focused his attention on stopping the airplane and maintaining directional control. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Examination of the nose landing gear revealed that the actuator was extended 6.8 inches, consistent with the nose gear being down and locked. This area of the nose gear assembly displayed gouging and missing material consistent with ground impact. The nose landing gear assembly was attached on the left side; however, the bolt was bent and the right side mounting point was fractured and separated from its attachment point, displaying fracture features consistent with overstress failure, which was likely the result of a hard landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA16LA121 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 1, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Brunswick, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Mckinnon St Simons Island (SSI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA46
- N-number
- N1982F
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2012
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.