20120801015369A

During an interview the flight instructor and pilot in command stated that while executing a practice ILS rw 36 the landing gear was selected down and the nose gear indicated an unsafe condition. The unsafe condition persisted after cycling the gear. The instructor flew by the control tower and the control tower advised that the nose gear appeared to be down. The instructor stated that the nose gear appeared to be down in the nacelle mirror. The instructor stated that due to recent previous gear indication problems he believed the indication to be erroneous. After landing on runway 36 the nose gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the runway with the nose wheel collapsed in the retracted position. The airplane was relocated from runway 36 to the FBO ramp tie down. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the fuselage structure was substantially damaged due to ground erosion into a forward bulkhead and longitudinal stringers which requires a major repair. Minor damage included, but is not limited to, bent propellers, damaged gear doors, and skin.a gear swing revealed that the nose gear would not reach the down locked position. Further investigation as to why the nose gear would not reach the down locked position revealed that the hydraulic fluid reservoir did not have enough fluid to indicate on the dip stick. Once the hydraulic fluid reservoir was properly service the nose gear reached the down locked position but, with great resistance. Consequently, an adjustment was made to the nose gear down lock eccentric bushing. Upon swinging the gear again the nose gear reached the down locked position normally.a review of the aircraft maintenance logbooks indicated that the airplane appeared to be in an airworthy condition at the time of the accident. However, the airplane was recently painted and there was no logbook entry indicating the airplane was painted or that the flight controls were balanced after painting. Additionally, the latest weight and balance record indicated that the janitrol heater was removed but was still installed in the airplane. Furthermore, the hour meter on the right tachometer was inoperative and the left tachometer is not placarded appropriately for a Piper seminole.a review of the instructor's pilot certificate, medical certificate, and pilot logbook indicated that he was current and qualified to act as pilot in command and provide instruction on the flight. A review of the student's pilot certificate and medical certificate indicated that multiengine instrument training may be appropriate. The weather was VFR with good visibility, a few high stratus clouds, and no precipitation. The runway was dry. Weather was not considered to be a factor.