CHI03LA209

The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing. The pilot reported he was at the downwind-base corner of the traffic pattern when he initiated a power-off approach. He stated the descent rate was quite steep, estimating it as 30 degrees relative to the terrain. As the aircraft approached touchdown, the pilot noted that it slowed faster than anticipated. He stated: "I pulled back on the stick to come [in] at [a smaller] angle and the plane did not respond." The aircraft subsequently hit nose first, breaking the nose wheel. The pilot indicated there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. In addition, he stated that the aircraft performed normally during his previous flights in the aircraft.

On August 22, 2003, at 1030 central daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Young Cozy MkIV, N96PJ, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 4 (7,098 feet x 150 feet, concrete) at the Quincy Regional Airport (UIN), Quincy, Illinois. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed the DuPage Airport (DPA), West Chicago, Illinois, about 0800. The intended destination was UIN.

The pilot reported he was at the downwind-base corner of the traffic pattern, when he reduced the power to idle and initiated a power-off approach. He stated the descent rate was quite steep, estimating it as 30 degrees relative to the terrain. As the aircraft approached touchdown, the pilot noted that it slowed faster than anticipated. He stated: "I pulled back on the stick to come [in] at [a smaller] angle and the plane did not respond." The aircraft subsequently hit nose first, breaking the nose wheel.

The pilot indicated there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. In addition, he stated that the aircraft performed normally during his previous flights in the aircraft.