On June 7, 1992, a Cessna 177A (registration N3144T) operated by Robert G. Fairbourn was involved in an aviation accident near Mariposa, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH FOR LANDING, HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND, HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, HIS MISJUDGMENT OF THE TOUCHDOWN FLARE, AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that during landing, he turned base too soon, was fast and high, attempted a slip, but landed hard on all three gear, leading to porpoising with about four to five bounces.
Incident Overview
According to an interview, the pilot of an airplane recounted the events leading to a hard landing and subsequent porpoising. While in the traffic pattern to land, the pilot stated that he turned base too soon. He noted that the airplane's airspeed was a little fast and he was a little high. To correct, he placed the airplane in a slip.
Landing Sequence
The pilot reported that he leveled the airplane over the runway numbers, but the airspeed was about 20 miles per hour too fast. He then landed the airplane hard on all three landing gear. Immediately after touchdown, the airplane began to porpoise. The pilot said the airplane 'bounced about 4 to 5 times.'
Pilot's Reflection
In his account, the pilot acknowledged that his lack of total experience did not help the situation. He also stated that he probably should have executed a go-around rather than continuing the landing.