What happened
On September 15, 2016, a Piper PA 28-180, registration N3331R, was involved in an accident during the landing phase in Valparaiso, Indiana. The weather conditions at the time were Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 050 degrees at 3 knots.
During the touchdown, the aircraft bounced on its main landing gear. This bounce caused the aircraft to nose down, leading the propeller to strike the ground. There were no injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
The investigation determined that the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident that would have prevented normal operation.