Page, AZ, USA
N235WC
Lancair 235
The airplane porpoised during landing, and the nose landing gear collapsed. During final approach, the airplane's ground speed increased and a higher than normal sink rate developed. The pilot was unable to slow the descent in time to prevent a hard landing. After a series of bounces, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded down the runway. The fuel lines broke and a fire erupted. The estimated density altitude was 7,700 feet msl.
On July 26, 2003, about 1400 mountain standard time, an experimental Lancair 235, N235WC, porpoised during landing at Page Municipal Airport (PGA), Page, Arizona. As a result, the nose gear collapsed. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight originated from Camarillo Airport (CMA), Camarillo, California, about 1100 Pacific daylight time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during final approach, the airplane's ground speed increased and a higher than normal sink rate developed. The efficiency of the engine and propeller seemed lower than normal, which he attributed to the density altitude. Prior to touchdown, the airspeed was still higher than normal and the airplane touched down hard. Upon touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded down the runway. The fuel lines broke and a fire erupted. The pilot said that the density altitude was 7,700 feet mean sea level (msl). He experienced a higher than normal sink rate on final and was unable to slow the descent in time to prevent a hard landing. The airport manager reported that the airplane "hit too hard," and on the second or third bounce the "nose hit the ground [and] the landing gear collapsed."
The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. Inadvertent entry into a porpoise pilot-induced oscillation, and high density altitude were contributing factors.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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