GAA17CA128

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions, as he "expected" to touch down he reduced engine power. He further reported that the airplane ballooned, followed by a hard landing and a bounce. During a subsequent second bounce, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane then veered left, exited the runway, and came to a stop nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot landed runway 23, and reported the wind as 260° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions, as he "expected" to touch down, he reduced engine power. The airplane ballooned, followed by a hard landing and a bounce. During a subsequent second bounce, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane then veered left, exited the runway, and came to a stop nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot landed on runway 23, and the reported the wind was 260° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation