Primary finding
Probable cause
improper flare by the pilot during a touch-and-go landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While attempting a touch-and-go landing, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend onto the runway surface at such a rate that the nose wheel failed and the nose gear strut was bent back. He then elected to execute a go-around. During the subsequent landing, the nose gear strut collapsed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 8, 1996, approximately 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150, N8310J, experienced a nose gear collapse at Pierce County-Thun Field, Puyallup, Washington. The aircraft received substantial damage but the private pilot, the aircraft's sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight out of Puyallup operated under 14 CFR 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airport. While attempting a touch-and-go landing, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend onto the runway surface impacting on the nose wheel. The airplane hit hard enough that the nose wheel broke off and the nose gear strut was bent back. The private pilot then elected to go around and attempt another landing. On the subsequent landing, the nose gear strut collapsed completely and the aircraft slid to a stop on its nose. -