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.