Event Details
According to the pilot, the approach and landing flare were normal. The main landing gear touched down first. When the nose landing gear made contact with the runway, the airplane "jerked" upward. The pilot lowered the nose, and after a second touchdown, the airplane bounced upward again. On the third landing, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing structural damage to the composite airplane. The airplane departed the runway and came to rest upright in the dirt.
Pilot Statement
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that he did not feel anything unusual in the flight controls or in their response. He also stated that the weather was not a factor and that there were no other outside distractions during the landing.