Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he performed a go-around on the first landing attempt. On the second landing attempt the airplane ballooned during the flare and subsequently impacted the runway with the propeller and the nose landing gear; the nose gear collapsed and separated from the airplane. A postaccident damage assessment revealed that the airplane's engine mount had sustained substantial damage as a result of the hard landing. 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 performed a go-around on the first landing attempt. On the second landing attempt the airplane ballooned during the flare and subsequently impacted the runway with the propeller and the nose landing gear; the nose gear collapsed and separated from the airplane. A postaccident damage assessment revealed that the airplane's engine mount had sustained substantial damage as a result of the hard landing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.