Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot stated that the approach to landing was normal. The aircraft operator stated that the student made a hard landing, resulting in the aircraft bouncing. The aircraft again touched down hard at which time the nose landing gear collapsed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 27, 1997, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6597Q, registered to a private individual, was damaged during a hard landing at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the student-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Stuart, Florida, the same day, about 1030. The pilot stated that the approach to landing was normal. On touchdown the nose wheel collapsed. The aircraft operator stated the pilot made a hard landing resulting in the aircraft bouncing. The aircraft then landed hard again, collapsing the nose landing gear. -