Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. His misjudgment of the height above the runway during flare was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the third touch-and-go, the aircraft bounced and the pilot applied throttle to recover, but bounced again. He released back pressure, the nose pitched down, and the aircraft touched down again. He elected to go around, not realizing that the nose wheel tire had blown out and the propeller had struck the runway. The pilot landed and noticed that the nose wheel tire was flat. A postaccident inspection revealed the fuselage and firewall were buckled.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 12, 1995, at 0700 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N73927, made a hard landing at North Las Vegas Air Terminal, North Las Vegas, Nevada. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the student pilot was not injured. The aircraft was owned and operated by Nevada Aviation Components and was on a local solo flight when the accident occurred. The flight originated at the North Las Vegas Air Terminal at about 0645 on the day of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings. During the third touchdown the aircraft bounced several times. The pilot stated that after his initial bounce he applied throttle to recover but bounced again. He then released back pressure on the control wheel and the nose pitched down and the aircraft touched down again. The pilot then elected to go-around, not realizing that the nose wheel tire had blown out and the propeller had struck the runway. After completing the go-around, the pilot landed and noticed that his nose wheel tire was flat. He then cleared the runway and called for assistance. A postaccident inspection by the operator revealed buckling of the fuselage and firewall. -