Primary finding
Probable cause
Jamming of the nose landing gear door opening mechanism and the pilot in command's excessive descent rate upon touchdown.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While on downwind for runway 16 the pilot was unable to extend the experimental aircraft's nose landing gear. Attempts to retract the main gear for a gear up landing were also unsuccessful. Tower personnel reported observing the aircraft make a hard landing at the approach end of the runway during which the aircraft did not bounce and skidded to a stop after an approximate 15 foot ground roll. Subsequent examination of the aircraft revealed that the mechanical nose landing gear door opening mechanism had bound up preventing the nose gear doors from opening and subsequent nose gear extension.
Source record
Factual narrative
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