ERA12CA098

Factual narrative

After a brief local flight, the pilot returned to the departure airport. During the landing the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. The pilot again attempted to land the airplane, however the nose dropped and the nose landing gear and propeller struck the runway, resulting in a second bounce. The pilot subsequently regained control of the airplane after it struck the runway a third time and taxied to the hangar uneventfully. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. After a brief local flight, the pilot returned to the departure airport. During the landing, the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. The pilot again attempted to land the airplane; however, the airplane’s nose dropped, and the nose landing gear and propeller struck the runway, resulting in a second bounce. The airplane struck the runway again before the pilot regained control of it and taxied it to the hangar. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C