Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the aircraft's inadequate handling capability.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
When the pilot realized that he would undershoot the landing he added power, and the airplane bounced. He was unable to recover prior to impact with the terrain. The pilot/builder stated that this was the sixth flight for the amateur-built airplane, and that previous flights had displayed handling problems which he attributed to 'probable bad wing incidence.'
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 23, 1995, at 0923 central daylight time, a Bradley DQ2, N8Q, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 17 (7,002' X 100' dry/asphalt) at Newton, Kansas. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed at 0900. The pilot/builder stated that the airplane's performance suffered due to "bad wing installation." He attributed the difficulties to "bad wing incidence." He said that this was the sixth flight of this amateur built airplane and that the airplane had displayed similar problems on previous flights. The pilot stated that during the accident flight, he was attempting to land and was experiencing the need for "extreme" aft pressure on the elevators. When he realized that he was going to undershoot the landing, he added power. He said the airplane reacted by bouncing and then crashed. -