N1748F

On July 16, 2000, about 1400 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172H, N1748F, was substantially damaged while landing at the Rainelle Airport (9W4), Rainelle, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he encountered light turbulence while landing on Runway 35, a 3,300-foot long turf runway. As the airplane crossed over the end of the runway, he selected full flaps. The airplane then started to sink and power was added to compensate. The airplane touched down on all three landing gear, bounced, and touched down again. As the nose was lowered, it dropped to the ground and stopped the engine.

According to a passenger that was seated in the right front seat of the airplane, the airplane was coming over the "last mountain," when he felt the plane drop. The pilot then attempted to pull up, but was unable to, and the plane hit the ground and bounced. A second passenger, who was seated in the aft right seat of the airplane, stated, "it felt like the plane lost lift and hit hard on the landing gear." The nose gear wheel then broke off and the gear collapsed.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the runway was sloped upward at the approach end.

The inspector added that it was the pilot's first landing at 9W4.

The airplane was examined on July 18, 2000, by the FAA inspector. No abnormalities were noted.

The weather reported at an airport located about 16 miles to the southeast of the accident site, at 1345, included winds from 240 degrees at 10 knots and light thunderstorms and rain.