Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane was too high and too fast on short final approach. It then floated in ground effect and bounced. The pilot attempted to perform a go-around, but the airplane would not climb and began porpoising, followed by hard contact of the nose landing gear (NLG) and propeller with the runway. The pilot subsequently landed on the grass area off the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained damage to the NLG, propeller, engine mounts and rudder. 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 ERA20LA344 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 20, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Laconia, New Hampshire
- Nearest airport
- Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech B19
- N-number
- N18778
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.