Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 1700; Flight Crew Type 600
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
I had nearly completed a flight on an IFR flight plan from a major city to this small town as the pilot flying. I asked the pilot not flying if he wanted to do some landings and take offs at the small town airport. He said yes and I transferred control to him. He landed the airplane normally. He then departed the airport to come around for a short-field landing. His approach was good and he appeared to land on the mains. He had pulled the throttle to idle before touchdown. Within seconds we heard what sounded and felt like a flat nose gear tire. After a few more seconds we heard the prop striking the asphalt. The aircraft came to a halt. We observed that the nose wheel had been pushed fully forward; allowing the prop to strike the asphalt. There was no damage to the nose wheel tire itself. It was fully inflated. There were no injuries to either pilot. Since the pilot flying was attempting a short field landing; it is possible that there was a three-point landing; causing stress on the nose gear. When practicing short-field landings; land fully on the mains before letting the nose wheel drop.
The nose landing gear collapsed during a short field landing in a C182 for unknown reasons.