NTSB Factual Report

On October 12, 2013, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-31P, N14TG, experienced a nose gear separation during the landing roll at the Calexico International Airport, Calexico, California. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The forward fuselage was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Bull Aviation under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from El Cajon, California, at 1425.

The pilot reported that he set-up for a straight in approach to runway 8. The approach was normal and the prelanding checklist was completed. The pilot stated that he was targeting 90 KIAS for touchdown, but the airspeed was slightly fast approaching the runway so he pulled the power back to idle and flared. The airplane was unresponsive when he pulled up the nose as the airplane settled on the main landing gear. The nosewheel abruptly sheared off upon surface contact and the airplane nosed down and slid about 1,000 feet down the runway before coming to rest.

The pilot further reported that there are known problems controlling the nose attitude in the landing configuration between 90 KIAS and the recommended landing speed around 80 KIAS. Both these speeds are above the stalling speed, but too slow to respond to pilot action regarding elevator control.

Post accident examination of the nose gear strut found that the housing was ruptured and the strut was broken. Further examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper pitch attitude during the landing, which resulted in the nose landing gear contacting the surface hard and then separating from the airplane.