BFO95LA047

The pilot stated that while landing at on an uncontrolled grass strip, the airplane landed hard, and bounced twice. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop, nosed down. The pilot reported that during the initial touchdown, he felt the airplane 'accelerate.' The pilot reported that he overflew the airport to check the wind sock prior to landing and it was indicating calm wind. He stated that after the accident, the wind sock was standing 'straight out.' He stated that the wind direction would have given the airplane a tailwind during the accident landing. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

On March 31, 1995, at 1215 eastern standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N99248, was substantially damaged during landing on a grass strip at Bucks Airport in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The solo instructional flight originated from the Millville Municipal Airport in Millville, New Jersey, about 1145, and was destined for the Bucks Airport. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he "...flew over airport, checked wind sock - no wind." He stated that during touchdown, he felt the airplane "accelerate." He stated that after initial touchdown, the airplane bounced into the air two more times. He stated on the third touchdown, the nose wheel "...buckled and [the airplane's] front end plowed into [the] ground."

The pilot reported, "I jumped from [the] cockpit [and] felt very strong wind on my back - wind sock standing straight out...Wind gusting very hard...."

The pilot reported the grass strip was dry and in "excellent" condition. He also reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

The pilot wrote that, in hindsight, "At 1st contact I should have throttled up and went around."