Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudged and delayed landing flare, and inadequate recovery technique from a bounced landing (porpoise). Sun glare was a factor in the accident.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the landing was into the setting sun, and his depth perception was impaired by excessive sun glare on the windshield. The aircraft impacted the runway nose wheel first and porpoised three or four times before the nose landing gear collapsed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 4, 1996, at 1850 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738PS, was substantially damaged when the nose wheel collapsed during a landing at the Ramona Airport, Ramona, California. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The operator reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight departed from the McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, at 1830. The NTSB was notified of the accident on June 20, 1996. In his written report, the pilot said that his landing approach to runway 27 was into the setting sun. He reported that during the landing flare excessive glare from the sun on the windshield disrupted his altitude perception over the runway. He reported that he "must [have] flared a little bit too late" and landed on the nose wheel first after which the aircraft porpoised three or four times before the nose landing gear collapsed. He reported no malfunction or failure with the aircraft. The operator stated that weather was not a factor in the accident. -