What was found
DURING EXAMINATION OF AIRCRAFT POST INCIDENT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ROD END (PN HMXL6G) ATTACHED TO THE NOSE GEAR RETRACT ARM (PN 35825172-2) WAS SHEARED OFF BELOW THE BEARING. IT APPEARS THE FAILURE STARTED IN A CRACK IN THE THREADS. THIS MOST LIKELY RELEASED THE OVER CENTER TENSION ON THE NOSE GEAR DOWNLOCK ALLOWING THE NOSE GEAR TO RETRACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. RECOMMEND ANNUAL PENETRANT INSPECTION OF ALL LANDING GEAR RETRACTION ROD ENDS. (K)