CHI97LA250

the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise, failure (collapse) of the nose gear, and a subsequent nose over.

The pilot reported that on final approach to the runway, the airplane was high on the glide slope, so he increased the flap setting to 40 degrees. He stated that he flew past the numbers and fixed distance marker, then initiated a flare. Also, the pilot reported, 'Flared high, banged hard on the two main wheels. Bounced up and came down again. Bounced about 5 more times.' On the fifth bounce the nose gear broke off. The pilot reported that the airplane veered off the prepared runway surface, crossed a taxiway, into a grass section between the taxiway and runway 8. After reaching the grass section, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

On August 6, 1997 at 1725 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 172M, N13353, sustained substantial damage after nosing over, during a landing roll at the Keokuk Municipal Airport, Keokuk, Iowa. The student pilot reported no injuries. The 14 Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Ottumwa, Iowa at 1639 cdt, for a student solo cross country flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that on final approach to Runway 03 at the Keokuk Municipal Airport he was high on the glide slope so he increased the flap setting to 40 degrees. The pilot stated that he flew past the numbers and fixed distance marker, then initiated a flare. The pilot reported, "Flared high, banged hard on the two main wheels. Bounced up and came down again. Bounced about 5 more times." On the fifth bounce the nose gear broke off. The pilot reported that the airplane veered off the prepared runway surface, crossed a taxiway, into a grass section between the taxiway and Runway 08. Upon reaching the grass section, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot exited the aircraft, uninjured, and waited for assistance. -