Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to lower the nose landing gear in time to prevent it from slamming onto the runway and collapsing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing he set the rear two wheels down and tried to hold the nose gear up longer than he previously had. As the trike began to slow, the nose gear slammed onto the runway and collapsed. After the aircraft slid to a stop in the middle of the runway, it tipped over onto its right side, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA168 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 17, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Oro Valley, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- La Cholla Airpark (57AZ)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Apollo Aircraft Inc MONSOON
- N-number
- N125AP
- Category
- Weight-shift
- 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.