Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a nose gear collapse.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he planned to make a touch-and-go landing on a forest service road. He reported that the airplane touched down on the dirt road and bounced twice. After a second bounce, he applied power in an attempt to take off, but the airplane’s nose gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and forward fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he planned to make a touch-and-go landing on a forest service road. He reported that the airplane touched down on the dirt road and bounced. After a second bounce, the pilot applied power in an attempt to reach rotation speed. Shortly after adding power when the airplane was traveling about 30 miles per hour, the airplane’s nose gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and forward fuselage. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported.