Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudged landing flare and his improper bounced landing recovery technique.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the operator, the aircraft entered a porpoise following a bounced landing. The pilot did not recover control of the aircraft prior to the nose gear collapsing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 13, 1995, at 1545 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150E, N6277T, collapsed the nose gear following a porpoise from a bounced landing at Visalia, California. The aircraft was operated by Valley Aircraft of Tulare, California, and rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage to the engine firewall. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Tulare on the day of the accident at 1435. According to the operator, the aircraft entered a porpoise following a bounced landing. The pilot did not recover control of the aircraft prior to the nose gear collapsing. -