On July 17, 2001, a Beech B19 (registration N3214L) was involved in an aviation accident near Eden Prairie, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing, her failure to recover from the bounced landing, and the nose gear overload. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot on a touch-and-go landing experienced multiple balloon bounces after reducing power to idle at the threshold. The nosewheel broke off, and the airplane slid to a stop on the grass. Post-accident examination revealed no anomalies.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported she was conducting a touch-and-go landing and was on a long final approach. She noted that the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights indicated she was on the proper glide path. After confirming her position to land on the runway, she lowered a third notch of flaps. As she crossed over the runway threshold, she reduced the engine power to idle and attempted to maintain altitude.
Event Sequence
The student pilot stated that upon touchdown, the airplane ballooned upward. It then returned to the runway and ballooned again. During the third bounce, she lunged forward as the nosewheel broke off. The airplane subsequently slid to a stop on the grass adjacent to the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the airplane following the incident revealed no anomalies or pre-existing mechanical issues.