Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the nosewheel collapsing.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane "bounced" and that "out of instinct," he pushed the yoke down to try and "get the plane down," which resulted in the nosewheel collapsing and the propeller striking the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA147 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 28, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ocala, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Ocala Intl-Jim Taylor Field (OCF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Zenair CH 2000
- N-number
- N677NA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.