Piper PA-34-200, VH-CJI, Bankstown, New South Wales, on 27 February 1989

Circumstances:

After take-off, the pilot had selected gear up. During climb, at about 1600 feet, he noticed that the red gear unsafe light was still illuminated, and by checking the nacelle mirror, that the nose gear was still extended. The wheel also appeared to be turned at an angle. The aircraft returned to Bankstown, where it was observed that the nosewheel was turned through about 80 degrees to the right. Use of full rudder travel and cycling of the landing gear failed to produce any change in the position of the nose gear, although the main gear retracted and extended normally. After seeking engineering advice, the pilot elected to land on grass and an area was prepared on the left of, and parallel to Runway 11 Left. He advised that he intended to shut down the engines on late final and position the propellers to preclude ground contact on landing. At about 200 feet on final approach, he closed both mixtures but had insufficient time to reposition the propellers. The aircraft dropped with a high sink rate and touched down 110 metres short of the intended landing area. On initial ground contact, the left main gear pushed up through the wing and broke off. The aircraft slewed to the left and the nose gear broke off during the 85-metre ground slide. It was found that the right hand nose wheel steering stop had been sheared, probably during ground handling operations. This resulted in detachment of the tiller roller from the steering channel and bending of the torque link pivot bolt. The torque link subsequently failed across the pivot bolt hole, allowing the nose leg to turn approximately 80 degrees.

Significant Factors:

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

1. Rough ground handling by persons unknown, resulting in damage to the nose gear mechanism.

2. Overconcentration by the pilot on attempting to manipulate the position of the propellers.

3. Pilot failed to maintain sufficient speed on approach, resulting in undershoot and heavy landing.

Recommendations:

1. This is another example of a pilot causing a more serious accident by attempting to do the "right thing". For many types of emergencies, no guidance is given by the manufacturer. It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority publish an article in the Aviation Safety Digest on the landing techniques to be employed with certain undercarriage malfunctions, such as defective nose gear.