Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N4878S) experienced a nose gear collapse after landing on Runway 17 at Colorado Springs Airport. The aircraft was being operated by a recently certificated pilot with a total flight time of 66 hours, including 18 hours in the PA-32-260 type.
Flight History
The pilot and a passenger departed from St. Louis, making two en route stops due to weather conditions. Upon arrival at Colorado Springs, the pilot received landing clearance for Runway 17. The wind was reported from 190 degrees at 12 knots.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses at the airport reported that the aircraft "porpoised" several times during the landing. After the porpoising, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to come to rest on its nose.
Pilot Experience
The pilot was recently certificated and had accumulated a total of 66 flight hours, with 18 hours in the PA-32-260. Notably, the pilot was involved in a similar accident in Kansas several weeks after this event.