Accident Sequence
According to witness reports, the airplane crossed the landing threshold of runway 28 at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level. The first touchdown occurred near the midfield point of the 3,600-foot runway. Subsequently, the airplane porpoised twice and yawed to the left. The witness observed that engine power was applied, and the airplane gained 50 to 60 feet of altitude. Shortly thereafter, the nose dropped, and the airplane impacted the terrain in an open field adjacent to the departure end of the runway. The impact ruptured the fuel tanks, and a fire erupted. The airplane was destroyed by the fire.
Pilot Background
The pilot had received two flight test disapprovals before being issued a private pilot certificate on June 14, 1993. At that time, his flight experience consisted of 41 hours of solo flight and 130 hours of dual instructional time. On February 8, 1994, the pilot completed a one-hour checkout flight in the accident airplane. The accident flight was the pilot's first flight in that airplane without his flight instructor on board.