N321HP

On April 16, 1997, at 0915 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N321HP, was substantially damaged during landing at the Allaire Airport, Belmar, New Jersey. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo instructional flight that originated at Allaire (BLM), about 0815. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot (SP)/owner of the airplane stated that he had remained in the BLM traffic pattern, and performed three takeoffs and landings, each to a full stop. During his fourth approach to runway 32, the airplane landed on the nose wheel, bounced into the air, then landed again. During the second touchdown the nose gear collapsed. The SP held the nose off, then using the brakes, steered the airplane off the left side of the runway into sand.

The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's report stated, the SP exited the left side of the runway where there was no taxiway, and the airplane nose gear sunk into loose sand. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engine.

The SP had accumulated about 54 hours of total flight experience, of which 46 hours was in make and model. The SP's total solo experience was 3.5 hours, all in make and model, 1 hour of which was the accident flight.