Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper bounced landing recovery technique.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The aircraft was landing on runway 30 with a gusty left crosswind condition. The pilot said he reduced power too rapidly in the landing flare due to his preoccupation with the crosswind and the aircraft landed hard on the main gear and bounced. The pilot reported that in the bounce recovery he did not use enough back pressure on the elevator control and the aircraft porpoised. After several oscillations, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 12, 1994, at 1502 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N8154C, porpoised following a bounced landing recovery and collapsed the nose gear at Palo Alto, California. The aircraft was operated by the West Valley Flying Club of Palo Alto, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight had originated at Sedona, Arizona, on the day of the accident at 1141 mountain standard time. The aircraft was landing on runway 30 with a gusty left crosswind condition. The pilot said he reduced power too rapidly in the landing flare due to his preoccupation with the crosswind and the aircraft landed hard on the main gear and bounced. The pilot reported that in the bounce recovery he did not use enough back pressure on the elevator control and the aircraft porpoised. After several oscillations, the nose landing gear collapsed. -