IAD97LA100

The pilot reported that when he approached the runway, he 'eased the yoke back to initiate a flare'. The airplane did not flare as he expected, and continued in a nose down attitude. The airplane touched down hard, and bounced. He then performed a go-around. His second landing was uneventful, but he had difficulty turning to the right during taxi to the ramp area. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane or the engine; however, examination of the airplane revealed the tips of the propeller blades were bent, the firewall was buckled, and the nosewheel was damaged.

On July 6, 1997, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N1858X, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard on runway 25 at the Old Mans Airport, Pedrictown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Factoryville, Pennsylvania, at 1530.

The pilot said his flight to New Jersey was uneventful. He entered the traffic pattern for a landing on runway 25. He reduced the power and airspeed to 85 mph, and then turned onto final approach. He added full flaps and reduced the power to idle for a landing.

He said he, "...eased back on the yoke to initiate a flare...", but the airplane continued in a nose down attitude. The airplane touched down hard, and bounced. The pilot executed a go-around and completed a second landing successfully. While taxiing to the tie down area, the pilot had difficulty making a right turn.

Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed both propeller blade tips were bent, the firewall was buckled, and the nosewheel was damaged. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the airplane or the engine.