Piper PA-32-300 N32371 accident near Redding, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized approach and his delayed action to perform a go-around, resulting in a collision with the runway surface.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered low level wind shear as it passed through 500 ft above ground level (AGL). He said that during the initial approach, the airplane had a 20-knot headwind; however, near the ground, the wind shifted to a tailwind and the airplane subsequently nosedived. The nose wheel impacted the ground hard, and the propeller struck the ground. The pilot then attempted a go-around, but the engine did not respond and the second impact with the ground resulted in the nosewheel collapsing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Surface wind conditions at the accident airport were reported as calm immediately before and after the accident. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC25LA032 for the full record.