What happened
The pilot planned to execute a long landing on runway 36L, aiming to park the aircraft near the northern end of the airfield. To achieve this, he flew over the runway at an altitude of approximately 30 feet until reaching the intersection with runway 6/24. At that point, he retarded the throttles and adjusted the trim for landing. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft descended to the runway surface, porpoised twice, and the nose gear collapsed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's actions during the final approach and flare. It was determined that the decision to fly over the runway at a low altitude before initiating the landing sequence contributed significantly to the outcome. The mechanical failure of the nose gear was a direct result of the impact forces generated by the porpoising motion.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the pilot's decision to delay the flare until near the intersection of the runways. Flying over the runway at 30 feet prevented an early and controlled descent, leading to a hard landing. The nose gear collapse was caused by the excessive vertical load from the porpoising event.
Safety message
Pilots should plan their approach and flare point carefully to ensure a smooth touchdown within the available runway length. Delaying the flare until the last possible moment can result in loss of control and structural damage.