AAIB investigation to Slingsby T67M MkII Firefly, G-BNSP
Nosewheel and axle assembly fell apart during low speed taxi, Turweston Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, 17 April 2017.
Summary:
The aircraft had landed at Turweston Aerodrome and had slowed to a walking pace on the runway. The pilot was given permission to backtrack and commenced a 180° turn. Halfway through the turn the pilot suddenly felt the nose drop and the aircraft came to an abrupt stop. He made the aircraft safe, vacated the cockpit and found that the nosewheel axle had migrated out, allowing the wheel to be released from the nose landing gear fork. The retaining nut, meant to hold the axle in place, could not be found. It is not known exactly when or why the nut had detached.
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Published 14 September 2017