On February 5, 1992, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N7086W) operated by Joseph V. Marson was involved in an aviation accident near Alturas, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to take adequate corrective action during a bounced landing, which resulted in the collapse of the nose gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot reported a hard touchdown during a touch-and-go maneuver, resulting in multiple bounces and porpoising that caused the nose gear to collapse before the aircraft departed the runway.
What happened
The pilot intended to execute a touch-and-go landing operation. During the approach and initial contact with the runway surface, the airplane touched down with excessive force on the main landing gear wheels. This hard impact caused the aircraft to bounce upward and subsequently porpoise along the runway surface.
Despite the unstable flight path, the pilot did not implement adequate corrective action to abort the landing or apply sufficient power to regain lift. After experiencing a third bounce and porpoise cycle, the structural integrity of the nose landing gear failed, causing it to collapse. Following the collapse, the aircraft slid forward for approximately 165 feet before eventually coming to rest and departing the paved runway surface.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to take adequate corrective action during a bounced landing, which resulted in the collapse of the nose gear.
What happened in the 5 Feb 1992 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Alturas, CA?
A pilot reported a hard touchdown during a touch-and-go maneuver, resulting in multiple bounces and porpoising that caused the nose gear to collapse before the aircraft departed the runway.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 5 Feb 1992 involved a Piper PA-28-180, registration N7086W, operated by Joseph V. Marson, at Alturas, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to take adequate corrective action during a bounced landing, which resulted in the collapse of the nose gear.
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