Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a nose down attitude and subsequent porpoised landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane likely touched down on the nose landing gear first. The pilot stated that the airplane pitched upward immediately after touchdown, followed by episodes of increasing variation in pitch, then a sudden downward pitch, and the collapse of the nose landing gear. The airplane came to rest on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and firewall.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA359 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 19, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Boulder, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Pipistrel Italia S R L VIRUS SW
- N-number
- N202MM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2023
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.