What happened
On May 6, 2004, a SR20 Cirrus, registration N123AN, was completing a local flight at Groningen Airport Eelde with two passengers on board. The weather conditions were favorable, characterized by good visibility and a light wind of 2 knots aligned with the runway. Following instructions from air traffic control for a short-field landing, the pilot attempted to touchdown just past the runway threshold.
During the flare maneuver, the aircraft's tail made contact with the ground. This impact initiated a series of uncontrolled longitudinal oscillations, often referred to as porpoising. As the aircraft bounced, the nose gear sustained enough force to break, causing the propeller to strike the runway surface. The aircraft eventually came to a halt approximately 500 meters down the runway. All occupants were able to exit the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's technique and the aircraft's behavior during the landing phase. The pilot, who had 295 total flight hours and 29 hours on this specific type, was familiar with the landing characteristics of the SR20 Cirrus. However, the pilot noted that unlike other nosewheel aircraft they had operated, the Cirrus requires a very precise flare.
During the final approach, the pilot reported that the aircraft was slightly low. In an attempt to correct the descent, the pilot pulled the nose up sharply during the flare, which directly resulted in the tailstrike. The investigation did not include a technical examination of the landing gear components; therefore, it remains undetermined if the nose gear failure was caused by an immediate structural overload or the presence of a pre-existing crack.