Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the nose gear actuator bolt during the landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear and subsequent runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot experimental amateur-built airplane reported that the approach and landing were normal with no anomalies observed. During the landing roll, the airplane’s retractable nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway before it impacted uneven terrain. The airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear actuator bolt had failed, which likely resulted in the collapse of the nose gear assembly during the landing.