Piper PA-28 R201, VH-PRF, Warnervale, New South Wales, on 1 July 1989

Circumstances:

The pilot under training was practising circuits and landings in preparation for a Commercial Licence test. When the landing gear was extended on the downwind leg, the nose gear light did not illuminate. The instructor changed light bulbs and the light illuminated so the circuit was continued. The landing was normal until the nose gear collapsed during the ground roll. The aircraft was involved in a similar accident in South Australia on 25 May 1989 and had flown approximately 25 hours since being repaired. A technical investigation revealed the down lock hook had fractured across the "U" section and there was excessive wear in all attachment holes and bushes. The down lock hook failed in overload probably as a result of higher-than-normal loads caused by the excessive wear in the drag link/over centre lock system.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. Inadequate maintenance and repair following a previous accident.

2. Overload failure of the down lock hook in the nose gear mechanism.