Incident Overview
A pilot conducted a visual approach to a mountain airport with which he was not familiar. The aircraft was high on the first approach, prompting a go-around. The second approach also began high, but the approach angle steepened, causing the aircraft to pitch nose-down toward the runway. The nosegear touched down approximately halfway down the runway, followed by main gear touchdown. The aircraft then bounced, and the sound of engine noise increased as it banked right. The right wing contacted the ground, and the aircraft subsequently flipped over and departed the right side of the runway. A postcrash fire ensued.
Examination Findings
Postaccident examination of the airframe and engines revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The examination showed that the right engine thrust reverser was deployed during the impact sequence, while the left engine thrust reverser remained stowed. Manufacturer data indicates that single-engine reversing has been demonstrated during normal landings and is easily controllable. However, at the time of the activation, the aircraft had already porpoised and bounced during the landing. The pilot's activation of only the right engine's thrust reverser would have created asymmetrical thrust and most likely exacerbated an already uncontrolled touchdown.
Additional Context
The source notes that had the touchdown been controlled, the aircraft could have stopped on the remaining runway or the pilot could have performed a go-around uneventfully.