Aero Commander twin suffers nosewheel collapse at Essedon 14/10/22

[red750]

A twin engined Aero Commander suffered a nosewheel collapse on landing at Essendon aerodrome today. Orange flames shot out from under the aircraft as it slid along the runway, but did not spread. 

 

[facthunter]

That's a scratchy that won't pay but she'll fly another day and no one's hurt. Nev

[red750]

According to Flightaware, it was a Rockwell Turbo Commander 690 flying from Adelaide to Essendon. The nosewheel was down obviously not locked, as it collapsed as the nose lowered.

[facthunter]

A green light normally means "Down and LOCKED" and the locking generally includes an overcentre mechanism. It also considers the gear lever position. "Agreement" light. when the lever has a lock.  Things can break. Nev

[poteroo]

Big tick for high wings!

[Steve L]

I would have thought to land on the grass as the belly gets pretty hot sliding down the bitumen. Although I’m not familiar with Essendon 

[facthunter]

There could be anything in the grass and it's better directionally on the sealed bit. Nev

[facthunter]

Anyhow if the nosewheel folded on contact , it is what it is. Not planned. Nev

[Steve L]

True Nev

[plugga]

I think the flames were related to an emergency shut down of the two Garretts, rather than friction between alloy and runway.

[facthunter]

I think you are correct but I don't know why they do that.  The cut off might be by pulling the crashbar leaving some small amount of fuel at low pressure to trickle. Nev

Edited October 20, 2022 by facthunter

[plugga]

That's about my understanding of it. I'm more familiar with Messrs Pratt & Whitney's finest, but I saw an AC 690 do something similar outside the hangar, many years ago and was told that it is something that can happen.