Primary finding
Probable cause
The improper flare by the pilot-in-command resulting in the hard landing, and the pilot's failure to perform a recovery from the bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total time in this type airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot of the experimental airplane was executing multiple touch-and-go landings, and had a total of 2 hours experience in the airplane. He stated that on his final approach he flared high, landed hard, and the airplane nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 26, 1994, about 1145 eastern daylight time, N163MS, a Mankovich Parakeet, registered to the pilot, Billy R. Watkins, crashed on landing at Fernandina Airport, Fernandina Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated about 1030 the same day from the same airport. The pilot stated that he flared high, landed hard, and the airplane nosed over. -