Probable cause
The pilot's improper level off/flare resulted in a hard landing/bounce and subsequent nose gear collapse.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the first touch-and-go landing, the touchdown was firmer than normal and the airplane bounced. The pilot recovered from the bounce and continued to land. As he lowered the nose, the nose wheel collpased and the airplane veered off to the left side of the runway. Postaccident documentation of the runway identified witness marks on the runway that indicated the nosewheel strut had impacted the runway, followed by some distance later the nose gear fully collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the gear that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR13CA345 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 28, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tacoma, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Tacoma Narrows Airport (KTIW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna Aircraft Co 162
- N-number
- N1205J
- 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.