Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to recover from a hard bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he was on a stabilized approach to land and that when he believed he had the appropriate sight picture, he reduced engine power and flared the airplane. The airplane then bounced and he attempted to recover the landing, but it bounced a second time and veered left of the runway centerline. The pilot aborted the landing and increased engine power, but the airplane veered further left. The pilot then reduced engine power and the airplane came to rest in bushes adjacent to the runway. The pilot-rated passenger reported that the pilot did not adequately “round out” the landing flare and the airplane bounced and yawed to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the yaw with excessive left and right aileron control inputs, and both of the airplane’s wing tips contacted the runway surface. The airplane then settled on the main landing gear and departed the runway to the left before it impacted an area of bushes resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Neither the pilot nor the passenger reported any pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane were reported that would have precluded normal operations.