ATL94LA096

Factual narrative

On May 6, 1994, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Beech 23-C23, N6660R, collapsed the nose landing gear during landing at Knightdale, North Carolina. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the business flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Albertville, Alabama, at 1230 central daylight time, on the same day. The pilot reported that after landing, the nose landing gear developed a shimmy. He stated that three landings were attempted with the same result, and that he performed a go-around each time. On the last landing, the nose dropped to the ground and the propeller contacted the runway. The pilot reported that after exiting the airplane he looked at the nose gear, and noted that the nose landing gear strut was broken toward the rear of the airplane. The pilot also reported that the airplane had no deficiencies upon departure from Albertville, no enroute stops were performed, and no obstacles were struck during the flight. He also stated that he the landing appeared normal to him, and that during a normal landing he may land the airplane on all three gear, or on the back wheels. According to the Albertville, Alabama, airport manager, the airport manager at the Knightdale Airport stated that N6606R porpoised during its landing at Knightdale. A go-around was performed. When the airplane returned for landing, the nose gear collapsed. Records provided by the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the pilot had ten total flight hours as of May 9, 1993. The pilot was asked to provide a report of the accident, on NTSB Form 6120.1/2. It was not received. The certified receipt of delivery of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 is attached. THE PILOT STATED THAT ON LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR BEGAN TO SHIMMY, AND HE PERFORMED A GO-AROUND. HE SAID THAT THREE LANDING ATTEMPTS HAD THE SAME RESULT. ON THE FINAL LANDING, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE NOSE DROPPED. WHEN HE EXITED THE AIRPLANE HE FOUND THE NOSE GEAR STRUT BROKEN OFF, TOWARD THE REAR OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE DEPARTURE TAKE OFF, HE MADE NO EN ROUTE STOPS, AND THE AIRPLANE DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ANY OBSTACLES. HE SAID THAT THE LANDING WAS NORMAL TO HIM, AND THAT DURING A NORMAL LANDING HE MAY HAVE HIT ON ALL THREE GEARS AT ONCE OR ON THE BACK GEAR. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12