Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's use of an excessive approach airspeed and an improper bounced landing recovery technique.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot's statement, the aircraft ballooned on touchdown due to an excessive approach airspeed and the nose wheel came down hard on the second runway contact. After a short stop at Grand Canyon, the pilot departed on a flight to Las Vegas, Nevada. After arrival at Las Vegas, the pilot discovered the damage to the nose gear strut and firewall during a routine postflight inspection of the aircraft.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 2, 1993, at 1100 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 182Q, N94596, collided with the runway while attempting a landing at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was operated by Denver Air Center of Broomfield, Colorado, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross- country flight. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and his one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Page Municipal Airport, Page, Arizona, about 0930 on the day of the mishap. According to the pilot's statement, the aircraft ballooned on touchdown due to an excessive approach airspeed and the nose wheel came down hard on the second runway contact. After a short stop at Grand Canyon, the pilot departed on a flight to Las Vegas, Nevada. After arrival at Las Vegas, the pilot discovered the damage to the nose gear strut and firewall during a routine postflight inspection of the aircraft. -