N229ME

On August 19, 2003, at 1136 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N229ME, was substantially damaged during a landing on runway 06L at Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL), Cleveland, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (UMP), Indianapolis, Indiana, about 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he approached the runway at 70 knots, idled the engine after crossing over the runway "numbers," and leveled off. He flared the airplane, and it floated for a while. When the airplane landed, the pilot heard a noise, and thought he had hit something. The airplane ballooned about 5 feet into the air, and landed again. Then the nosewheel began to vibrate violently. The pilot realized that something was wrong, and made a decision not to go around. The airplane ballooned again, about 7 or 8 feet, landed hard on the nosewheel, and bounced one last time. After the airplane settled onto the runway, it veered right and went into the grass.

The passenger provided a statement that was similar to the pilot's statement.

A witness reported that the airplane made an approach to the runway, "at or above" 90 knots. It made a "fast three-point landing and bounced." After it bounced, the airplane was nose high and seemed to have stalled. After it stalled, the airplane "nose-dived, porpoising down the runway," and out of his line of sight.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane on the day of the accident. According to the inspector, the firewall was completely wrinkled, and was split about 10 inches up from the base.

The pilot reported a total of 208 flight hours, all of which were in make and model.

Weather at the time of the accident was reported as wind from 020 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and clear skies.