OPA LOCKA, Fla. – The Coast Guard has begun its investigation into an emergency landing at Opa Locka Airport at approximately 1:00 p.m. Thursday. A Coast Guard Auxiliary Aircraft, TIGER 4, suffered a mechanical failure of its nose landing gear upon final approach into the airport. The Cessna 414 had two Coast Guard Auxiliary members aboard and was returning to Coast Guard Air Station Miami after completing a logistics mission.
The aircrew was aware of the malfunction prior to landing, and completed all necessary emergency procedures before performing a successful landing with the nose landing gear not fully extended. After coming to a safe stop on the runway, with the nose landing gear collapsed, both crew members exited the aircraft unharmed.
The cause for the landing gear malfunction is not known at this time and is currently under investigation by a Coast Guard appointed Mishap Analysis Board.
