Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he had conducted five normal practice takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the landing flare for the sixth landing, he observed a flock of birds at the end of the runway and attempted to touch down and stop the airplane in a shorter-than-normal distance. The pilot stated that the airplane touched down hard and porpoised several times. On the final touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA514 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 28, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gaitherburg, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Montgomery County Airpark (GAI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cirrus Design Corp SR20
- N-number
- N912BG
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.