N4376XPiper PA-32-300 · 1975

The pilot of the Piper PA-32-300, was on final approach to land on runway 15, a 9,001-foot-long, 200-foot-wide, asphalt runway. He reported that he experienced a sudden wind gust and made a "very hard landing." As the pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp, the nose landing gear collapsed. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the firewall, fuselage, and engine and nose strut mount assemblies. Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident, were from 220 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. He reported 6,164 hours of total flight experience, which included about 6,000 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.