Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane was too high and too fast on short final approach. It then floated in ground effect and bounced. The pilot attempted to perform a go-around, but the airplane would not climb and began porpoising, followed by hard contact of the nose landing gear (NLG) and propeller with the runway. The pilot subsequently landed on the grass area off the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained damage to the NLG, propeller, engine mounts and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.