What was found
PILOT REPORTED NOSE GEAR EXTENDED DURING FLIGHT. INSPECTION REVEALED THE ROD END BEARING ON THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR BROKE ALLOWING THE NOSE GEAR TO FREE FALL TO THE DOWN AND LOCKED POSITION. THE BREAK IN THE ROD END BEARING SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A SMALL CRACK BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. DETECTION OF THIS CRACK WOULD REQUIRE DISASSEMBLING THE CONNECTION OF THE ROD END BEARING FROM THE NOSE GEAR DOWNLOCK TO PERMIT VISUAL INSPECTION. THE NOSE GEAR DOWNLOCK WAS NOT DAMAGED.