N476CTFlight Design Gmbh CTSW · 2007

According to the pilot's written statement, while on final approach for a straight in landing at his destination airport, the pilot had to apply right crosswind correction due to prevailing winds. He stated he "encountered a downdraft and picked up a decent rate." The pilot applied power but impacted short of the runway. The nose landing gear separated, the airplane nosed over, and then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts and the right wing root and spar. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

The student pilot stated he departed from runway 10 and remained in right closed traffic. He turned on final approach, and felt the airplane was a little high. He considered initiating a go-around, but elected to land further down the runway. As he flared the airplane, he felt an increase in wind. The airplane floated about 5 feet off the ground, the left wing came up as the airplane floated, and touched down on the runway. He considered another go-around, but decided against it because the airplane was to slow, and to far down the runway. The airplane began to porpoise "back up more sharply" touched down on the runway, and bounced into a nose high attitude. The airplane collided with the runway in a nose down attitude, collapsed the nose gear, and came to rest in a nose down attitude. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the fuselage tunnel. The student pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.