This April 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Malibu Mirage. Injuries: None. Location: Chapel Hill, N.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: At the time of the accident, the winds were recorded from 050° at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. According to the pilot, the airplane crossed the numbers for runway 09, touched down, then ballooned up twice. The pilot added power to avoid a stall. The airplane touched down again. The nosewheel broke off and the propeller struck the ground. The fuselage and firewall were also damaged.
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was the gusty wind conditions.
For more information: NTSB.gov
