Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind, the pilot's selection of runway, and the misjudged landing flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The landing was being made on runway 23 with winds from 120 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot stated the airplane bounced on landing, and he applied full throttle and raised the flaps in an attempt to abort the landing. He stated the stall horn sounded and he lowered the nose to gain airspeed; however, the airplane contacted the terrain and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 18, 1997, at 0900 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N5685E, operated by Tri-State Airways, and flown by a private pilot nosed over following a loss of control while landing on runway 23 (4,000' x 75') at the Tri-State/Steuben County Airport, Angola, Indiana. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. A second passenger was not injured. The flight departed from Angola, Indiana, at 0800 est. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced during the landing and it drifted to the right. He reported he added power to abort the landing at which time he heard the stall warning horn. He lowered the nose of the airplane to gain airspeed; however, the airplane contacted the terrain on the right side of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that the local winds at the time of the accident were from 120 degrees at 8 knots. -