Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 8500; Flight Crew Type 300
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
I was sitting in the left seat with my former student; a certificated private pilot; flying from the right seat as PIC and (PF). PF made a straight ahead but 'firm' landing on an 'option' clearance and the nose-wheel started to shimmy. We agreed that I; as the more experienced pilot would take control of the plane. I moved the yoke full aft and added power to lighten the load on the nose. The shimmying immediately stopped and we continued on a touch-and-go.I maintained control of the aircraft and flew the pattern to make a full-stop landing. I touched down normally and smoothly and gently lowered the nose in order to stop on the runway for a stop-and-go landing. At this point the nose shook violently and there was a scraping noise. Using differential braking I was able to bring the aircraft to a stop on the intersecting runway and advised the tower we needed assistance.Upon exiting the airplane we discovered that the nose-wheel and axle had separated from the aircraft and that the aircraft had slid to a stop on the nose-wheel fork which was ground down. No other damage was apparent except for the nose-wheel fork. The ground crew assisted in moving the plane to its assigned parking spot with the use of a dolly under the ground-down fork.The PF understands that a more nose-high attitude on touchdown might have precluded the incident.
I was operating in the right seat as PIC with my former instructor; a certificated CFI; and was given clearance for the 'option'. I made a firm landing and the nose-wheel began to shimmy. At that point we agreed that the CFI; being the more experienced pilot; would take control of the aircraft. He applied power while maintaining the yoke full aft to lighten the load on the nose-wheel. The shimmy immediately stopped and we continued with the touch and go.He maintained control of the aircraft and continued in the pattern and we were cleared for the 'option' again. As he touched down for the landing and the nose-wheel made contact with the runway; we heard a scraping sound and the nose began the shake. He was able to steer the aircraft to an intersecting runway where we advised the tower we would need assistance.When we exited the aircraft; we discovered that the nose-wheel had become separated from the nose gear fork; but no other structural damage was apparent. With assistance from airport ground ops we were able to push the aircraft to its assigned tie down spot.A more nose-high attitude on initial landing would have relieved stress on the nose-wheel; possibly preventing the incident.
Cessna 150 pilot reported damage to the nose wheel after a hard landing while performing touch and goes.