On September 16, 1993, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2353K) was involved in an aviation accident near Griffith, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper execution of the go-around, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot attempting a full-stop landing experienced a hard touchdown followed by a balloon. An attempt to execute a go-around resulted in the aircraft striking the runway and collapsing the nose landing gear.
What happened
The flight was proceeding with the objective of executing a full-stop landing on the available runway. Upon initial contact with the surface, the aircraft experienced a hard touchdown which caused it to balloon upward. A witness present at the location estimated that the airplane rose approximately 25 to 30 feet into the air before descending again.
Recognizing the unstable approach, the student pilot applied power in an effort to execute a go-around procedure. However, the aircraft was already in a nose-down attitude during this phase of flight. The combination of the high sink rate and the nose-low pitch resulted in the main fuselage and gear striking the runway surface with significant force. This impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse.
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper execution of the go-around, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear.