Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s excessive application of brakes while landing, which resulted in a nose gear collapse.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane departed the runway, substantially damaging the fuselage and engine mounts. The pilot reported that he applied the brakes upon touchdown for a short field landing and believed the nose gear collapsed due to “pushing down the nose.” A postaccident examination of the landing gear system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.