Honda Aircraft HA-420 N166HJ accident near Charleston, South Carolina

Probable cause

Ground personnel’s use of an improper towbar adapter lug, which prevented the nose landing gear from extending.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that, during the landing approach, after extending the landing gear, he received a yellow nose landing gear indicator light and an aural “gear unsafe” warning. He aborted the approach to troubleshoot and, after performing an emergency gear extension, received a red nose landing gear light and a warning message indicating a problem with the landing gear doors. The pilot subsequently landed and the airplane settled onto the nose, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

Examination of the airplane revealed a towbar adapter lug inside of the nose wheel axle assembly. The adapter lug was not a produced by the airplane manufacturer nor was it specified for use for the accident airplane. A witness mark was discovered on the top surface of the nose landing gear door and at the bottom of the nose landing gear bay. It is likely that, based on the incorrect size of the towbar adapter lug, the nose wheel landing gear became stuck in the stowed/retracted position.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20LA006 for the full record.