Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the nose landing gear impacting the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane “bounced three times.” Following the third bounce the “nose wheel hit the runway in an abrupt manner.” This impact resulted in substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.