Carrabelle, FL, USA
N1954F
Cessna 172N
The flight was high on final approach which resulted in the pilot performing a slip to lose altitude. The airplane landed hard, bounced 7-10 feet agl, floated down the runway, then landed on the main landing gear. After lowering the nose the pilot felt a vibration and the airplane then nosed over. The nose landing gear strut separated from the airframe, and the nose landing gear fork fractured. There was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the nose landing gear components.
The pilot stated flight departed and proceeded to the destination airport where the windsock indicated the wind favored landing on runway 15. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 15 and turned base and final approach. While on final approach with 20 degrees of flaps extended, he performed a slip and straightened the airplane when the flight was over the threshold. The airplane touched down first on the main landing gear then became airborne about 7-10 feet above ground level. He released aft elevator control input and the airplane "...seemed to float down the runway without descending. It felt like a sudden shift in the wind was propelling us." He applied throttle to perform a go-around, but the airplane began to descend so he eased off the throttle and applied aft elevator control. Prior to landing again, the pilot retracted the flaps and the airplane settled onto the runway. He applied braking and eased off the back pressure. After the nose landing gear contacted the ground it felt "...very rough." The airplane shook and the nose then continued to the ground. The airplane nosed over and he and the passengers exited the airplane. He further reported that he had previously flown into the airport about 9 times in the previous 6 months. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the nose landing gear strut was separated, and the nose landing gear fork was fractured. There was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the nose landing gear strut or fork.
The improper flare by the pilot-in-command resulting in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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