CESSNA S550

Full Narrative

On March 19, 2025, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Cessna S550 airplane, N627HS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, the airplane departed from Conway-Horry County Airport (HWY), Conway, South Carolina, and the enroute portion of the flight was uneventful. The pilot subsequently established the airplane on a stabilized approach to Hilton Head Airport (HXD), Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Upon selecting the landing gear to the down position, the three green gear safe lights illuminated, and he continued the approach. After touchdown, the nose gear collapsed as it contacted the runway. The pilot felt a bump, heard scraping, and as the airplane slowed, he turned to exit the runway.
Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose landing gear actuator was fractured. The landing gear bay and surrounding structure was ground down into the airframe with associated bucking. The nose landing gear actuator was retained for further examination.