Incident Overview
A commercial pilot practicing short field approaches and landings experienced a loss of control during the third touch-and-go landing. The pilot, who held a commercial certificate and had accumulated 2,480 total flight hours with 380 hours in the accident airplane make and model, was conducting a short field approach and landing to a 5,000-foot-long by 100-foot-wide paved runway. The pilot failed to maintain control of the single-engine airplane, resulting in a hard landing short of the landing threshold for Runway 09.
Inspection Findings
An FAA inspector who responded to the accident reported that the airplane's nose gear collapsed and the engine firewall sustained structural damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine prior to the accident.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather was reported as calm winds, unlimited visibility, clear skies, temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.22 inches of mercury.
Pilot's Comments
When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot reported: "Short field landings should always be practiced using a simulated beginning point of the runway. It is not necessary to use the actual landing threshold."