Piper PA 28 N4295T accident near Marion, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper pitch during the first landing, which resulted in a porpoise, and the failure of the nose landing gear during the second landing after a subsequent go-around.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, during his first attempt to land, the nosewheel touched down first, and the airplane "porpoised." He aborted the landing and accomplished another landing, but when the airplane touched down on the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot used differential braking to steer the airplane into the grassy area on the left side of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.

The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if the airspeed had been slower and if the airplane's pitch attitude was better than the initial landing. Additionally, the pilot noted that he landed with a 90° crosswind from the left.

The pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, the wind was from 08° at 11 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 17.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA341 for the full record.