Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper use of the elevator trim resulting in a nose low/hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, the airplane was landing runway 32R. Prior to the flare, "the nose wheel touched the runway and the airplane bounced." The pilot "held the yoke steady and the airplane settled" unto the runway a second time resulting in another "bounce" that was higher than the first. Following a third "bounce" the pilot reported hearing a "thud", after which he applied power and initiated a go-around. During a second landing attempt the pilot reported that he was unable to raise the nose for the flare which resulted in the nose wheel touching the runway prematurely and another go-around. The third landing attempt was successful and the aircraft was towed from the runway due to a blown nose gear tire. The pilot stated, "Apparently I dialed in too much nose-down trim. This made it harder to pull the nose up for a good flare at the right time."
Examination of the airframe, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 27, revealed a blown front tire, a wrinkled firewall, and forward nose gear tunnel damage. The accident was reported to the National Transportation Safety Board on this same date. The pilot did not report any systems or control anomalies leading up to the accident. An examination of the airplane systems conducted by the FAA revealed no anomalies.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN08CA117