Investigation number
199603044
Occurrence date
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Hard landing
Occurrence category
Accident

The pilot reported that he had flown a normal circuit and approach to land on runway 30. He did not monitor the airspeed adequately on the approach, with the result that the aircraft began to stall at about 10 feet above the runway. Power was applied to correct the descent, however the aircraft "ballooned" and then landed heavily. When the pilot taxied the aircraft off the runway he thought the nose wheel tyre was deflated. Post flight examination found that the tie down ring on the underside of the rear fuselage had broken off. The nose landing gear assembly was badly damaged, with sheared rivets at the top of the leg casting, and the engine firewall was buckled. The right side of the nose wheel fork had spread and was abraded by contact with the runway surface. In describing the event the pilot insisted that it be called an act of "gross stupidity".

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
172N
Registration
VH-EIB
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Quilpie QLD
Destination
Charleville QLD
Damage
Substantial