N3214L

On July 17, 2001, at 1617 central daylight time, a Beech B19, N3214L, operated by a student pilot sustained substantial damage when it impacted on runway 18 (2,691 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Eden Prairie, Minnesota, following a bounced landing. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and came to a stop in the grass field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The solo instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The student pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated at Eden Prairie, Minnesota, at approximately 1600.

In her written statement, the student pilot said she was flying in the traffic pattern and was on a long final to perform a touch-and-go landing. She said that the visual approach slope indicator lights showed she was on the proper glide path. The student pilot said that when she was sure she was in a position to land on the runway, she lowered a third notch of flaps. She said she reduced the power to idle as she crossed over the threshold and tried to maintain her altitude. The student pilot said, "I touchdown and ballooned up. Then the airplane returned to the runway and ballooned again. About the third bounce I lunged forward as the nosewheel had broken off." The student pilot said the airplane slid to a stop on the grass near the runway.

The NTSB on scene investigation began on July 21, 2001. The airplane and airplane records were examined at FCM. The airplane's nose gear tubes were bent aft and broken. The nose wheel and trunion were broken off. The airplane's firewall showed a 1-inch deep gash in the bottom center. The lower right side of the firewall was bent inward. The bottom right side of the fuselage, aft of the firewall showed a 36-inch long, 12-inch wide aft running dent in the skin. Both propeller blades were curled aft at the tips. The tip of the spinner was dented inward. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.