Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard touchdown and buckling of the canard.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot indicated that during landing flare the nose dropped, which resulted in a hard landing. The aircraft skidded down the runway but was steerable with the tail wheel. An examination of the airplane revealed the right canard structure had buckled at midspan. The pilot also reported that no mechanical malfunctions or failures occurred during the accident flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 17, 1994, at 1443 Pacific daylight time, a Quickie-Myers, Q2, N813S, operated by the pilot, made a hard landing on runway 16R at the Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California. The home built airplane was substantially damaged, and neither the private pilot nor passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight which originated from Van Nuys at 1330. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1, he indicated that during landing flare the nose dropped and the airplane landed hard. The airplane did not bounce. It skidded down the runway and was steerable with the tail wheel. An examination of the airplane revealed the right canard structure had buckled at midspan. The pilot also reported that no mechanical malfunctions or failures occurred during the accident flight. -