'Airplane Bounced Twice On The Grass Runway, Resulting In The Nose Wheel Separating From The Airplane...'

Location: Lakeport, Florida Accident Number: ERA24LA093
Date & Time: January 19, 2024, 17:13 Local Registration: N5799
Aircraft: Quest Aircraft Co Inc Kodiak 100 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing Injuries: 1 Serious, 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot reported, “upon touchdown, the plane jumped back up as I reduced power all the way back.” He said that the airplane bounced twice on the grass runway, resulting in the nose wheel separating from the airplane. Subsequently, the nose landing gear strut dug into the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane’s fuselage, wings, and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent noseover.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov