ATL02LA132

The flight was on short final when the pilot noticed that the airspeed was low. During the landing flare, the nose dropped and the nose wheel impacted the runway. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any flight control or mechanical problems.

On June 4, 2002, at 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182, N2044X, had a hard landing on touch down at Saint Paul private airstrip, North Carolina. The airplane was registered to and owned by the private pilot. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological condition prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Hilton Head, South Carolina, at 1730.

The airplane was on short final when the pilot noticed that the airspeed was low. The stall warning horn began to sound approximately 50 feet above the ground. The pilot stated he pitched the nose down and had the flaps extended in the full down position. The pilot did not add any power, but continued the approach without changing the configuration. After clearing the trees approximately 4 to 5 feet over the threshold, the pilot rotated for the flare, the nose dropped and the nose wheel impacted the runway. The airplane bounced and control was established by adding power. The airplane landed on the main landing gear on the second touchdown.

During a post accident examination of the airplane, stringers on the copilot's side were found damaged. Further examination revealed the firewall was also buckled. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any flight control or mechanical problems.