LONGVIEW, TX, USA
N5374J
Cessna 172N
The pilot allowed the airplane to touchdown on the nose landing gear. The airplane porpoised, and the nose landing gear collapsed, buckling the firewall.
On September 27, 1999, approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N5374J, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Gregg County Airport near Longview, Texas. The private pilot, who was the owner and operator of the airplane, and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Memphis, Tennessee, with a final destination of San Antonio, Texas. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he was landing on runway 13 and "touched down on the nose wheel first which caused the airplane to porpoise." The nose landing gear collapsed, buckling the firewall. The propeller and engine also sustained damage. At 1050, the Gregg County Airport weather observation facility reported the wind from 190 degrees at 10 knots.
The pilot's improper touchdown technique, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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