Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot planned to remain in the traffic pattern for touch and go practice. On the first landing, the pilot reported that he came in fast on approach and touched down nose wheel first. The airplane bounced and the pilot pushed the nose back down toward the runway, causing a porpoise. During the porpoise, the pilot lost directional control and the airplane veered to the left departing the runway into the grass. The nose gear collapsed during the runway excursion, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additional information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air safety inspector revealed the pilot was operating the airplane on an airman's certificate that has been suspended since 1994.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot planned to remain in the traffic pattern for touch and go practice. On the first landing, the pilot reported that he came in fast on approach and touched down nose wheel first. The airplane bounced and the pilot pushed the nose back down toward the runway, causing a porpoise. During the porpoise, the pilot lost directional control and the airplane veered to the left departing the runway into the grass. The nose gear collapsed during the runway excursion, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additional information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air safety inspector revealed the pilot was operating the airplane on an airman's certificate that has been suspended since 1994.