PA-23 Apache/Geronimo Apache
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Other A&P; IA; DPE PA-ATP
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 54; Flight Crew Total 32527; Flight Crew Type 1700
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
During a routine training session of multi-engine student instruction on DATE; we experienced nose gear indication problems which terminated with a collapsed nose gear and right engine/propeller damage.Numerous maneuvers had been performed involving several landing gear extension retraction cycles; and 5 takeoffs and landings; all normal until last 3 patterns during which nose gear initially showed locked then unsafe. Several touch and go landings(3) were performed during which we attempted to lightly touch nose wheel to move into locked position and get the safe indication. Some of those attempts were firm enough to confirm gear was actually down and locked. Landing gear hydraulic lever had returned to center and gear was visible in mirror every time. Checklist items for a single light out; handle returning to neutral; gear warning horn active was followed and in addition three touchdown taps indicated to me gear was extended. Discussed with student all actions and elected to land on Runway XY instead of active [Runway] XX so we could land; roll out gently; stop; and shut down so I could visually inspect the gear. After we were cleared to land on Runway XY I feathered left engine on base; continued approach; conducted gump's and final checks. As main gear contacted runaway I pulled mixture on number two engine and although initial touchdown was normal; aircraft began a slight yaw to the right along with some unusual noise like rubbing or scuffing. Felt similar to right main tire going flat quickly followed by greatly increasing yaw; much worse than a flat tire. We applied left full rudder pedal but yaw was increasing dramatically aircraft was nearly 30 degrees to centerline and about to leave runway. As there are no wheel brakes on my side of aircraft so I loudly instructed student 'left break; left break; left brake; left brake 'which he did; straightening out aircraft parallel to centerline approximately 6 ft. from edge of runway. Shortly after this nose gear collapsed and remaining 1 to 200 ft. of runway was done on the nose of the aircraft and the main gear. Once stopped; we shut off master; generators; avionics; fuel and vacated aircraft. Myers aviation removed airplane and put in our hanger. Upon inspection and disassembly it was discovered that nose wheel was turned past the stops to the right; tire scuff marks; and hydraulic actuator bent 90deg in fully extended position most likely due to excessive side load. Upper drag link assembly tubing cracked; separated; other parts bent or damaged and all located except one turn limit stop pin.
PA23 Flight Instructor reported a nose gear collapse and runway excursion on landing.