Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudged landing flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported he initiated a flare at approximately 10 feet above the runway. The aircraft made a rapid descent onto the runway and the nose wheel collapsed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 5, 1993, about 2100 eastern daylight time, a Beech 19A airplane, N5072T, landed hard at Ludington, Michigan. The airplane was substantially damaged. No injury was reported among the private pilot and two passengers. Visual meteorological conditions existed in the vicinity. The local personal flight originated, time unknown, without a flight plan and operated under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that after he initiated a flare approximately 10 feet above the runway, the airplane made a rapid descent onto the runway. The nose wheel collapsed upon impact and the aircraft came to rest approximately 150 feet down the runway. No mechanical anomalies have been claimed or were discovered. -