The Australian Transport Safety Bureau did not conduct an on-scene investigation of this occurrence. The report presented below was derived from information supplied to the Bureau.
The pilot of the Cessna 210 aircraft, registered VH-UPN, reported that during the landing roll at Cockatoo Island, Western Australia, the wheel separated from the nose landing gear strut. The aircraft nosed-over and came to rest inverted. All occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The operator examined the aircraft and found that the self-locking nut and through bolt for the nose landing gear wheel axle had separated from the nose landing gear, either prior to, or during, the take-off at Broome. The bolt and a washer were subsequently found on the runway at Broome. During the landing, the wheel became loose when the axle moved from the landing gear forks.
As a result of this occurrence, the operator has initiated an immediate inspection of its aircraft to ensure that only new through bolt retaining nuts are installed.