Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to properly judge the flare altitude.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 29, 1997, at 1258 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2128Q, collapsed the nose gear during a landing on runway 11 at the Little River, California, airport. The airplane was rented by the pilot from the West Valley Flying Club for a personal flight and was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated in Palo Alto, California, about 1125. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed.
The pilot said she flared 8 to 10 feet above the runway and stalled the airplane. The airplane pitched nose down and landed on the nose gear. The nose gear collapsed, damaging the fire wall.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA135