ATL98LA043

According to the pilot, when he retracted the landing gear, the nose gear indicator light was red, indicating the gear was not up and locked. He recycled the gear and still saw a red light, so the pilot flew under the maximum gear extension speed. On approach, the pilot stated he extended the landing gear, and got a green indicator light, indicating the gear was down and locked. As the airplane touched down, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the runway and nosed over. According to the FAA inspector, examination of the landing gear and skid marks on the runway revealed that the nose wheel was turned beyond its normal limits on touchdown. He stated that a Malfunction and Defect Report was submitted on the nose landing gear strut. According to the FAA, in conversations with the kit manufacturer, it was noted that the nose gear on this airplane was designed poorly, in that it must be installed perfectly to work correctly. Because of the inexperience of some kit builders, this can lead to problems. Both the FAA and the kit manufacturer believe that the servicing of the nose gear aggravated a pre-existing problem with the nose gear installation, which led to the collapse.

On February 15, 1998, about 0910 eastern standard time, a Wilde Mickey Questair 20, N94FA, an experimental airplane, collapsed the nose gear at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, in Greensboro, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Atlanta, Georgia at 0730.

According to the pilot, he departed Atlanta and retracted the landing gear. The nose gear indicator light was red, indicating the gear was not up and locked. He recycled the gear and still saw a red light, so the pilot flew under the maximum gear extension speed. As he approached Greensboro, the pilot stated he extended the landing gear, and got a green indicator light, indicating the gear was down and locked. As the airplane touched down, the nose gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the runway. The airplane slid off the runway in a left arc, and nosed over upon reaching the grass.

According to the FAA inspector, examination of the airplane's nose landing gear and skid marks left on the runway revealed that the nose wheel was turned left beyond its normal travel limits at the time of touchdown. He also stated that a Malfunction and Defect Report was submitted for the airworthiness of the nose landing gear strut. According to the FAA, in conversations with the kit manufacturer, it was noted that the nose gear on this airplane is designed poorly, in that it must be installed perfectly to work correctly. Because of the inexperience of some kit builders, this can lead to problems with the nose gear. Both the FAA and the kit manufacturer believe that the servicing of the nose gear aggravated a pre-existing problem with the nose gear installation, which led to the collapse.