20040523020009I

(-23) Inspector statement: received a call from inspector ernie scardeccio at approximately 1200 local. The comm center had called him thinking he had the duty for phl FSDO. This is unusual see that I had spoken to the comm center the previous day to establish that my cell phone was my best point of contact. I confirmed that neither my cell phone or the beeper had been called. Inspector scardeccio briefed me that he had received information from "ed" at the ops center that there had been an incident at Trenton airport (ttn). N787SB had its nose gear collapse on roll out. I eventually tracked down steve byrk (cert #221605039), the PIC of N787SB. The aircraft is a "velocity xl-rg" experimental. He indicated that he had a "no transition" light on downwind. He executed the manual extension procedures and received a good indication along with a good visual through an external mirror system. He made a normal approach and landing, but the nose gear collapsed during the rollout. Due to the size and weight of the aircraft he lowered the nose gear on the runway and had it towed to his tee hangar. He says its locked up in the hangar and to call him to make arrangements to look at it. Pilot s tatement: pilot-steven bryk instructor-dave platzer we were doing pattern work at Trenton (kttn) on 5/23/2004 after about 3 or 4 landings the following happened: we were on right rw 24 downwind in the pattern at about 10:50 am. We were cleared to land by tower after an aircraft on final. I put the gear lever to the down position and got no response. Checked breakers and any obvious problems. I notified Trenton that we were getting no response from the gear system. We requested a 360 degree turn to do a manual drop and got approval. We dropped the gear manually and made 3 verifications the gear were down and locked. 1. Visual with the use of mirrors on the canard and main wing. 2. Green light indicators front and rear gear. 3. Manual check with tool as described by velocity through access hole. Notifed the tower wewere good to land and we were cleared to 24. Made a normal approach and landing. Rolled about 600 feet when the nose gear collapsed and we slid about 20 yards. Notifed the tower we were on the runway. Dave and I exited the aircraft no injuries or problems. Airport emergency crews and FAA showed up. Gave documents and information. We were cleared to exit runway so we pulledthe aircraft back to hangar.