Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing almost directly into a headwind, and as he neared the approach end of the runway for a full-stop landing he noticed that the airplane was sinking at a higher rate than he wanted it to. He therefore added power in order to decrease the rate of descent. The addition of power was not sufficient to significantly reduce the sink rate, and the airplane contacted the runway hard and bounced back into the air. After the airplane bounced back into the air, the pilot did not maintain runway alignment and when it touched down again it was off the side of the runway. During this second touchdown, the nosewheel hit first and collapsed. Immediately thereafter, one of the wings impacted the terrain, resulting in substantial damage to its structure. According to the pilot, there were no anomalies associated with the airplane's flight control system.
Source record
Factual narrative
As the pilot, who was landing almost directly into a headwind, neared the approach end of the runway for a full-stop landing, he noticed that the airplane was sinking at a higher rate than he wanted it to. He therefore added power in order to decrease the rate of descent. The addition of power was not sufficient to significantly reduce the sink rate, and therefore the airplane contacted the runway hard and bounced back into the air. After the airplane bounced back into the air, the pilot lost directional control, and when it touched down again it was off the side of the runway. During this second touchdown, the nose wheel hit first and collapsed. Immediately thereafter, one of the wings impacted the terrain resulting in substantial damage to its structure. According to the pilot, there were no anomalies associated with the airplane's flight control system.