Summary
Factual Information
The aircraft had just completed a landing on runway 21 when the nose wheel collapsed. The engine cowl and propeller struck the ground, and the aircraft came to a stop.
The aircraft had a history of nose wheel shimmy on take-off and landing.
Analysis
The manufacturer's design specifies a Cessna 185 tail wheel as the nose wheel for this aircraft type. The nose wheel is fully castoring with no controls and is free to castor during ground operations. A fixed fairing over the nosewheel prevents any pre-flight inspection of the mounting.
This aircraft has experienced two previous nose wheel collapses. The aircraft owner is considering modifications to convert the aircraft to a tail wheel configuration.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199601339 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 16/04/1996 |
| Location | Aldinga (ALA) |
| State | South Australia |
| Report release date | 21/05/1996 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Amateur Built Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Model | Bede BD-4 |
| Registration | VH-XBD |
| Sector | Piston |
| Operation type | Flying Training |
| Departure point | Aldinga SA |
| Destination | Aldinga SA |
| Damage | Substantial |