On March 16, 1992, a Cessna 172P (registration N96493) operated by Sharp Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near West Helena, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: PILOT'S IMPROPER FLAREA ND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An airplane overshot the final approach course during the base-to-final turn. It crossed the runway threshold too high but aligned with the centerline. After a hard touchdown, two bounces followed, and the nose gear collapsed.
Incident Overview
During the turn from base leg to final approach, the pilot overshot the intended final approach course. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, it was too high. Despite this, the pilot aligned the airplane with the centerline and reduced engine power to initiate the landing flare.
Sequence of Events
The airplane made contact with the runway hard and subsequently bounced two consecutive times. During the second bounce, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the runway.
Aftermath
The aircraft sustained damage due to the collapse of the nose gear. The circumstances surrounding the event are based on the pilot's actions during the approach and landing.