Probable cause
A failure of the nose wheel steering shaft and subsequent rotation of the nosewheel which resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting glider tow operations and returned to land to pick up another glider. He reported that as soon as he touched down and lowered the nosewheel to the runway the nose gear collapsed. The firewall and lower fuselage were substantially damaged. A witness observed the landing and noted that the nose wheel was turned 90° when the airplane touched down.
The pilot examined the airplane, and the nose wheel steering shaft was found fractured. The fractured steering shaft would have allowed the nose wheel to turn sideways prior to landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA193 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 29, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nephi, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Nephi Muni (U14)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182F
- N-number
- N3608U
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1963
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Glider tow
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.