Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper flare during landing that resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent overload failure of the nose gear assembly.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On November 30, 2000, at 1430 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N8507B, registered to Pruitt Homes of Missouri, Inc., was substantially damaged when the landing gear collapsed during landing roll at Skywest Airpark Airport in Mobile, Alabama. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Fairhope Municipal Airport in Fairhope, Alabama, at 1400.
According to the pilot, during landing on the grass strip she came in with 40 degrees of flaps and a airspeed of 65 to 75 knots. She made a harder than usual landing on the main wheels and bounced around 5 to 6 feet. She landed the aircraft and upon rollout the nose landing gear collapsed.
Examination of the nose gear attach points found the gear had separated in overload.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL01LA018