Incident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a round-trip cross-country flight with two passengers. According to the pilot, the aircraft had undergone brake repairs in El Paso, Texas, prior to the flight. The pilot reported being distracted by concern over the brakes' ability to stop on the downhill runway.
First Approach and Hard Landing
The pilot executed what he described as a normal approach to Runway 27. However, due to darkness, he flared high, resulting in a hard landing. The aircraft bounced back into the air. The pilot then added power and initiated a go-around.
During the go-around, the engine vibrated severely. The pilot assumed that the propeller had struck the runway, either during the hard landing or when power was added.
Second Approach and Runway Excursion
On the second approach, at touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed. The aircraft departed the runway, sheared off the main landing gear, and came to rest nose-down.
Aircraft Damage
The right wing was bent backward. Both wing spars, the fuselage, and the tail section sustained damage. The investigation revealed that the main landing gear legs were overstressed and the lower fuselage was crushed inward.