Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 13500; Flight Crew Type 2500
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Evacuated; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
The following is a recall of the events regarding the failure of the nose gear during rollout of a CE-182RG at. This flight was a CFI-Initial reexamination. I was the FAA DPE administering the exam. A pretest and preflight briefing were accomplished and the flight test profile was developed and fully briefed. The profile was to perform normal and soft field takeoffs and landings followed by a short field takeoff and departure to the southwest practice area. Following completion of the flight maneuvers; we were to return to the airport and finish with a short field landing. The applicant completed the preflight procedure. The normal and soft field takeoffs and landings were accomplished with no problems as was the short field takeoff and departure to the practice area. Gear extension and retraction were normal. In the practice area we experienced no problems with the gear until the last maneuver when we could not get a gear down light with the gear extended. Testing of the green light bulb determined the bulb was operational. Additionally; the gear unsafe horn would activate when power was reduced. Applicant cycled the gear a couple of times and performed the emergency gear checklist. Visual inspection of the gear revealed the gear to be down and locked but still no green light and the horn would activate with power reduced. Applicant retracted the gear and headed for the airport. Approximately 5-6 miles from the airport; applicant lowered the gear and visual inspection revealed the gear to be down and locked; but no green gear light and the gear horn would again activate with power reduced. Applicant cycled the gear and performed the emergency gear checklist. Applicant left the gear down and upon entering the pattern advised the Tower Controller of our gear situation. Applicant requested a low approach near the tower so they could take a look at the gear. The tower complied with applicant's request and during the low approach the tower advised the applicant the gear appeared to be down and locked. Applicant reentered the pattern; performed the appropriate checklists; and was cleared to land. Visual inspection revealed the gear to be down and locked; but no green gear light. I instructed applicant to perform a soft field landing which he successfully accomplished. Applicant held the nose off the runway until the lack of elevator effectiveness allowed the nose gear to contact the runway. All three gear remained down and locked until we were nearing the taxiway. Our speed was relatively low at this point however the nose gear failed and the aircraft nose contacted the runway. The applicant and I exited the airplane.I cannot think of anything we could have done differently other than perhaps calling the flight school that owned the airplane and asking to speak with their mechanic prior to landing.
A C-182RG nose gear collapsed during taxi after landing. The nose gear indicated unsafe; but appeared down and locked to the pilot and a Tower controller during a fly by inspection.