Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed control during an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which led to a bounced landing, collapsing the nose landing gear, and resulting in substantial damage.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while flying an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, and on seeing the runway, she realized she had not slowed the airplane. She reported that she tried to slow the airplane, but the airplane bounced during the landing. She was too slow to react, and the airplane bounced a second time collapsing the nose landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to one of the two diagonal stiffeners on the firewall. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.