19970306007009I

Narrative: bsya flt 291 departed Sioux falls, SD on a part 135 cargo flt to Sioux City, IA. When the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear the nose gear down and locked indication would not illuminate. The pilot circled the field and the control tower confirmed visually that the nose gear was not fully extended. The pilot retracted the gear and manually extended the gear. The two main wheel would fully extend but the nose gear would not. As the pilot pumped the gear down the nose gear would partially extend. But then would stop and the pressure in the pump became very hard and could not be further pumped. The pilot landed on runway 13 at sux. Just before landing the engines were shut down and the props feathered. As the aircraft slowed during landing the nose gear collapsed. One of the left prop blades contacted the surface and was bent under. The nose wheel gear doors were damaged as well as skin near the radome and the radome itself and the air duct. Contract mech. From jetsun are repairing the aircraft. They stated at this stage of the repair it was estimated to be minor damage to the aircraft. It was believed that a gear in the gear box had failed causing the nose gear not to fully extend. There were no injuries to the pilot or anyone on the ground as a result of this incident. This incident is considered closed with this report.