GAA18CA449

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that rain showers were present in the vicinity of his destination airport, so he diverted and landed at a nearby airport. During the approach, the pilot felt the airplane was being pushed forward and saw an increase in indicated airspeed and nose down attitude. He continued the approach and upon touchdown, the airplane landed hard on the nosewheel first and after a subsequent bounce, he initiated a go-around. He then re-entered the pattern, approached the same runway and upon touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed, and airplane exited the runway to the left into a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear tunnel. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 7 minutes prior to the accident, the wind was from 100° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 32. The pilot added that he believed the airplane's nose landing gear was damage during the initial landing. He further stated that, after landing, the windsock was discovered to be damaged, and not indicating wind direction properly. However, the airport's AWOS was accessible by aircraft radio. The pilot reported that rain showers were present near his destination airport, so he diverted and landed at a nearby airport. He added that, during the approach, he felt the airplane was being pushed forward and saw an increase in indicated airspeed and nose-down attitude. He continued the approach, and upon touchdown, the airplane landed hard on the nosewheel first and bounced, so he initiated a go-around. He then re-entered the pattern, approached the same runway, and upon touchdown, the nose landing gear (NLG) collapsed, and airplane exited the runway to the left into a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the NLG tunnel. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station (AWOS) reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 100° at 7 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. The pilot reported that he believed the NLG was damaged during the initial landing. He added that, after landing, the windsock was found to be damaged and that it was not indicating the wind direction properly. However, the airport's AWOS was accessible by radio. 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-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation