Incident Overview
On August 25, 2019, at about 1250 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus SR-22 airplane, registration N983WP, experienced a hard landing at Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport (GWS), Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to CBGNC Aviation LLC and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight Details
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the flight was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) with flight following. The flight originated from Russell Municipal Airport (RSL), Russell, Kansas, and was destined for GWS. The pilot overflew GWS to familiarize himself with the area and elected to land to the south.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that the weather was clear and the automated weather observing system (AWOS) reported calm winds. The pilot reported the temperature was 84°F and the altimeter setting was 29.84 in. Hg. The pilot flew the final approach at an airspeed in the mid-70s with full flaps. During the flare, "the bottom fell out" and the airplane landed hard on the main landing gear and then the nosewheel, which subsequently collapsed.
Aircraft Damage
An examination of the airplane noted the composite firewall was damaged, substantially damaging the airplane. Additionally, the trailing edge of the right leg fairings were split apart, and both wheel pants exhibited upward crush damage.
Wind Conditions
The pilot later stated that although the AWOS reported calm winds, historical data indicated the winds in the general area were shifting between north and northwest at 7 to 12 knots. He stated it was possible that he picked up enough of a tailwind to bring the airspeed from above to below stall speed. He also stated there were no mechanical issues with the airplane at the time of the accident. At 1256, wind at Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), 23 miles northeast of GWS, was from the west-southwest at 18 mph, gusting to 28 mph. At 1253, wind at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE), 31 miles southeast of GWS, was variable at 7 mph, gusting to 22 mph.