Airframe event involving a Amateur Built Aircraft Bede BD-4, VH-XBD, Aldinga, (ALA), SA on 16 April 1996

Factual Information The aircraft had just completed a landing on runway 21 when the nose wheel collapsed. The engine cowl and propeller struck the ground and the aircraft came to a stop. The aircraft had a history of nose wheel shimmy on takeoff and landing. Analysis The manufacturer's design specifies a Cessna 185 tail wheel as the nose wheel for this aircraft type. The nose wheel is fully castoring with no controls and is free to castor during ground operations. A fixed fairing over the nosewheel prevents any pre-flight inspection of the mounting. This aircraft has experienced two previous nose wheel collapses. The aircraft owner is considering modifications to convert the aircraft to a tail wheel configuration.