CHI98LA115

The student pilot reported he made one landing followed by a go-around. On the third landing, while at an altitude of 2 to 4 feet agl, the airplane landed 'harder than usual' with the nose gear contacting the runway followed by the main gear. The nose gear collapsed when it contacted the runway and the airplane veered off the side of the runway into the grass. The landing was made on runway 5, with the pilot reporting the winds from 040 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots.

On April 4, 1998, at 1349 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-28-161, N537PU, operated by Purdue University, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while landing at the Purdue University Airport, Lafayette, Indiana. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The solo instructional flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Purdue University Airport at 1330 est.

Purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to practice takeoffs and landings. The accident landing was made on runway 05 and the pilot reported the winds were from 020 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The student reported he took off on runway 05 and made one successful touch and go landing. He reported that on the second landing attempt he performed a go-around after determining he was too high to complete the landing. He reported that on the landing attempt while in ground effect at an estimated 3 to 4 feet above the ground, the nose of the airplane dropped. He continued to report, "I think what happened was my nose wheel made contact with the runway before the rear landing gear as a result of ground effect dissipating under my nose before my landing gear." He reported the airplane landed "harder than usual" and he was "almost able to gain control, but the nose wheel seemed to have been bent in an awkward position. The pedals were locked."

The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway where it came to a stop. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane. He reported the nose gear was cocked left and outboard. The lower portion of the engine cowl was damaged and the engine mounts were broken in several places. The lower portion of the firewall was buckled and the left corner of the firewall contained a hole from the engine mount.