N1RQ

On October 20, 2000, at 1810 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PT-46, N1RQ, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the airplane's propeller struck the runway and the nose gear collapsed during a bounced landing on runway 27L (3,909 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at the Flying Cloud Airport, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A visual rules flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Dowagiac, Michigan, and was en route to Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

In his written statement, the pilot said that "upon wheels landing, I noticed that I started to float up. When [the] plane came back down, it began to bounce up and down. On the third of maybe 5 or 6 bounces, the prop struck the ground."

An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed the engine firewall bent up and aft. The propeller blades were twisted and bent aft. The cowling and forward fuselage skin were wrinkled. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.