N555HT

Substantial
None

DANIELS ALAN L KITFOX SERIES 7S/N: S60111-076

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, October 18, 2012
NTSB Number
ERA13CA047
Location
Plymouth, MA
Event ID
20121105X11455
Coordinates
41.908889, -70.728889
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N555HT
Make
DANIELS ALAN L
Serial Number
S60111-076
Model / ICAO
KITFOX SERIES 7

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
30255 HIGHWAY 11
Status
Deregistered
City
COLUMBUS
State / Zip Code
NM 88029
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that during final approach, he increased airspeed from 65 to 70 mph to compensate for light windshear. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced twice and he increased engine power slightly to allow the airplane to settle on the main landing gear. After it settled, the nosewheel collapsed substantially damaging the firewall. The airplane then came to rest upright on the runway. The pilot surmised that the second bounce must have separated the nosewheel. A witness to the accident, who was also a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, stated that the nosegear touched down first, followed by bounces with two or three more nosegear touchdowns, before the nosewheel collapsed and the airplane came to rest. The recorded wind at the airport about the time of the accident was a left crosswind at 8 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA047