Primary finding
Probable cause
A failure of the nose wheel steering shaft and subsequent rotation of the nosewheel which resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was conducting glider tow operations and returned to land to pick up another glider. He reported that as soon as he touched down and lowered the nosewheel to the runway the nose gear collapsed. The firewall and lower fuselage were substantially damaged. A witness observed the landing and noted that the nose wheel was turned 90° when the airplane touched down. The pilot examined the airplane, and the nose wheel steering shaft was found fractured. The fractured steering shaft would have allowed the nose wheel to turn sideways prior to landing.