Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing, which resulted in a porpoise and structural damage to the airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard due to the uphill slope of the grass strip. He reported that at touchdown, the airplane porpoised, veered to the left, and the left wing impacted a tree branch. The pilot aborted the landing, departed the area, and landed at an airport without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, the left wing, the floor boards underneath the rudder pedals, and the firewall. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard due to the uphill slope of the grass strip. He reported that at touchdown, the airplane porpoised, veered to the left, and the left wing impacted a tree branch. The pilot aborted the landing, departed the area, and landed at an airport without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, the left wing, the floor boards underneath the rudder pedals, and the firewall. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.