Nose Wheel Collapse During Landing – Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F at Shepparton Airport, Victoria, Australia – April 23, 2025

Date:
Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Time:
c. 16:14 Local Time

Type of Aircraft:
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F

Owner/Operator:
Private

Registration:
VH-KNY

MSN:
27-7854034

Year of Manufacture:
1978

Engine Model:
Lycoming IO-540

Fatalities:
0 / Occupants: Not specified

Other Fatalities:
0

Aircraft Damage:
Minor

Location:
Shepparton Airport (SHT/YSHT), Kialla, VIC – Australia

Phase:
Landing

Nature:
Private

Departure Airport:
Shepparton Airport, VIC (SHT/YSHT)

Destination Airport:
Shepparton Airport, VIC (SHT/YSHT)

Confidence Rating:
Information is only available from news, social media, or unofficial sources

Circumstances:

On April 23, 2025, a privately operated Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F experienced a nose wheel collapse during landing on runway 18 at Shepparton Airport in Kialla, Victoria. The aircraft struck the runway upon touchdown, resulting in minor damage to the landing gear and surrounding areas. No injuries were reported among the occupants, whose number has not been specified.

Emergency services, including Police, Fire & Rescue Victoria, and the Shepparton Search & Rescue Squad, responded to the scene shortly after 16:14 local time. Following the securing of the front wheel, the aircraft was moved off the runway and towed back to a hangar for further assessment.

The aircraft, registered as VH-KNY, is locally owned and regularly operates out of Shepparton Airport. This incident marks the second crash landing at the airport in the past three years, highlighting potential operational or environmental factors that may warrant closer examination.

Authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the nose wheel collapse, considering factors such as mechanical failure, pilot error, or runway conditions. While the damage was minor, this incident underscores the importance of regular maintenance and thorough pre-flight inspections for aging aircraft like the 1978 Aztec F.