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Hard Landing Damages Nose Gear After Bounced Landing

Sussex, NJ, United States

On May 21, 2014, a PIPER PA-28-140 was involved in an aviation accident near Sussex, NJ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed while on approach, and his subsequent failure to recover from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A private pilot reported an excessive final approach speed, leading to three bounces and a hard landing that substantially damaged the nose landing gear and firewall. No preaccident malfunctions were noted.

Accident Overview

A private pilot experienced a hard landing while attempting to land on a 3,499-foot-long asphalt runway. The landing sequence involved multiple bounces, after which the nose landing gear and firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, the airplane's final approach speed was "too fast." Upon touchdown, the airplane began to bounce. After the third bounce, the airplane impacted the runway hard, resulting in structural damage to the nose landing gear and the firewall. The pilot stated that he should have aborted the landing after the first bounce.

Weather Conditions

Winds reported at the airport around the time of the accident were variable at 7 knots. No other weather conditions were noted in the report.

Contributing factors

Airspeed — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 May 2014 PIPER PA-28-140 accident near Sussex, NJ?

A private pilot reported an excessive final approach speed, leading to three bounces and a hard landing that substantially damaged the nose landing gear and firewall. No preaccident malfunctions were noted.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 May 2014 PIPER PA-28-140 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 May 2014 involved a PIPER PA-28-140, at Sussex, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed while on approach, and his subsequent failure to recover from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing.

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