What happened
The pilot initiated an approach to land at the airport under calm wind conditions. The local air traffic controller observed that the initial approach appeared to be flown at excessive speed. Consequently, the pilot executed a go-around for the first attempt. A second landing attempt followed the same pattern, with the controller again noting a fast approach profile, leading to another go-around.
On the third approach, the aircraft successfully touched down on the runway. However, upon impact, the aircraft bounced several times. Following the bounces, the pilot lost directional control, causing the aircraft to veer off the paved surface. The aircraft then collided with a runway sign located near the edge of the runway.
The investigation
Post-incident inspection revealed damage consistent with the collision with the ground and the signage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to or during the incident. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were calm, eliminating wind shear or crosswind as contributing factors.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a loss of control after touchdown due to a bounced landing. The repeated go-arounds suggested difficulty in maintaining proper approach speed and descent rate. The final collision was a direct result of the aircraft leaving the runway surface after the bounce.