19960624021179I

Narrative: this aircraft was involved in a hard landing at Tulsa International Airport (tul) in March of 1996, with the owner, Mr. Dusanic, as PIC. Repairs included new prop, engine teardown/repair, replacement of nose wheel and tire, as well as minor repairs in nose wheel well. All repairs and ground checks were completed on June 24, 1996, and owner performed an operational check flight in the Tulsa area, and upon returning to tul could not get a green light for the nose gear to indicate down and locked. Several cycles of gear were made and a flyby of the tower. The nose gear appeared down to the tower personnel, so Mr. Dusanic decided to land. Mr. Dusanic stated he made a smooth touchdown and held the nose up as long as possible, but soon after the nose wheel touched down, the nose gear collapsed. The engine was idling but the prop struck the runway, and there was sheet metal damage to the nose gear and the gear doors. Mr. Dusanic and his passenger were not injured. The tail was lowered, the nose gear extended and after three attempts, it finally locked and the aircraft towed off the runway. Subsequent investigation revealed a malfunction of the down lock mechanism and a m or d will be forthcoming.