N2793G

On July 29, 1996, approximately 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182B, N2793G, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the nose landing gear separated following a hard landing at the Sullivan Lake State Airport, Metaline Falls, Washington. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot reported visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Ione, Washington, approximately 1415. There was no report of an ELT activation.

The pilot reported that he executed an approach to the north runway, and that after touchdown on the grass airstrip, the aircraft floated back into the air. In his attempt to get the aircraft back on the ground, the pilot forced the aircraft back onto the runway hard enough that it bounced back into the air a second time. He once again pushed it onto the runway, this time hitting hard enough to break off the nose wheel. The aircraft then slid along on the nose strut for about 200 feet, until the strut dug into the terrain and collapsed. The aircraft then slid along on the bent propeller until coming to a stop. The pilot reported the winds as calm with slight drizzle at the time of the accident.