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C172 pilot reports a botched landing in early morning darkness with variable gusty winds. Multiple bounces occur resulting in damage to the nose strut and a flat main gear tire.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1015474 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201206 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Landing |
| Route In Use | None |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 105.1 Flight Crew Total 2336.7 Flight Crew Type 301.5 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control |
Narrative:
After having gotten eight hours of sleep; I woke up and began my pre-flight planning. I obtained an initial weather briefing via foreflight on my ipad. I filed an IFR flight plan with a scheduled departure time two hours later. En route to the airport via car; I confirmed my initial weather briefing by calling 800-WX-brief. I performed a full pre-flight inspection on the aircraft (per the aircraft checklist) and updated the G1000 approach database. I taxied the aircraft out; making radio calls on CTAF because the tower hadn't opened yet. In the run-up area I performed the run-up per the aircraft checklist. I then obtained an IFR clearance from approach. Next I programmed the G1000 routing. I departed at approximately a half hour early and flew the route according to my clearance. About 10 minutes into my flight I was cleared direct to destination. After the hand off to center; I requested the RNAV (GPS) approach. I was cleared to the IAF and told to report inbound. When I reported inbound I was told 'frequency change approved'. I switched to CTAF and reported 'a 10 mile final on the GPS approach'. The wind was gusty and variable. The windsock indicated change of direction. Because of the gusty winds I kept a higher approach speed than normal and 10 degrees of flaps. On flare; a gust of wind hit me dead-on and raised the nose. I felt a slight touch of the elevator on the pavement and then the gust ceased and the nose slammed down on the ground. The aircraft began a 'pogo-stick' action; continually popping up and slamming down. I believe this happened about 5 times. I pulled the throttle out in an effort to stop the bouncing. When I realized this wasn't fixing the problem; I applied more power; and leveled the aircraft. I then flared again and landed correctly. I shut down the aircraft per the checklist and inspected the damage. There appeared to be a damaged strut and a flat tire. I then attempted to call the FBO and the tower for assistance. There was no answer but a few minutes later a pickup truck arrived. The linesman surveyed the damage and then left to go retrieve a tow-bar and tractor. He returned about 20 minutes later with the tow-bar and tractor and the two of us carefully pulled the aircraft off the runway and onto the taxiway.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: C172 pilot reports a botched landing in early morning darkness with variable gusty winds. Multiple bounces occur resulting in damage to the nose strut and a flat main gear tire.
Narrative: After having gotten eight hours of sleep; I woke up and began my pre-flight planning. I obtained an initial weather briefing via ForeFlight on my iPad. I filed an IFR flight plan with a scheduled departure time two hours later. En route to the airport via car; I confirmed my initial weather briefing by calling 800-WX-BRIEF. I performed a full pre-flight inspection on the aircraft (per the aircraft checklist) and updated the G1000 approach database. I taxied the aircraft out; making radio calls on CTAF because the Tower hadn't opened yet. In the run-up area I performed the run-up per the aircraft checklist. I then obtained an IFR clearance from Approach. Next I programmed the G1000 routing. I departed at approximately a half hour early and flew the route according to my clearance. About 10 minutes into my flight I was cleared direct to destination. After the hand off to Center; I requested the RNAV (GPS) approach. I was cleared to the IAF and told to report inbound. When I reported inbound I was told 'frequency change approved'. I switched to CTAF and reported 'a 10 mile final on the GPS approach'. The wind was gusty and variable. The windsock indicated change of direction. Because of the gusty winds I kept a higher approach speed than normal and 10 degrees of flaps. On flare; a gust of wind hit me dead-on and raised the nose. I felt a slight touch of the elevator on the pavement and then the gust ceased and the nose slammed down on the ground. The aircraft began a 'pogo-stick' action; continually popping up and slamming down. I believe this happened about 5 times. I pulled the throttle out in an effort to stop the bouncing. When I realized this wasn't fixing the problem; I applied more power; and leveled the aircraft. I then flared again and landed correctly. I shut down the aircraft per the checklist and inspected the damage. There appeared to be a damaged strut and a flat tire. I then attempted to call the FBO and the Tower for assistance. There was no answer but a few minutes later a pickup truck arrived. The linesman surveyed the damage and then left to go retrieve a tow-bar and tractor. He returned about 20 minutes later with the tow-bar and tractor and the two of us carefully pulled the aircraft off the runway and onto the taxiway.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.