NYC04CA089

While on short final for landing, the pilot added the last notch of flaps, and trimmed the airplane nose up to slow the airspeed. During the landing flare, "it felt like the bottom fell out," and the airplane bounced on the runway. He then attempted to add power; however, at the same time, the airplane descended back to the runway abruptly, shattering the nose wheel. The propeller struck the runway and the airplane slid to rest on the remaining runway. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

On March 20, 2004, at 0945 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N62058, was substantially damaged while landing at the Zelienople Municipal Airport (8G7), Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the student pilot, he departed from runway 17 for a local solo flight, and encountered turbulence during the initial climb. After reaching an altitude of 3,000 feet, the student pilot decided to terminate the flight, and he elected to return to the airport. He flew a traffic pattern approach to runway 17, and while on final approach, initiated a slip to attain the "proper glidepath." On short final, the pilot added the last notch of flaps, and trimmed the airplane nose up to slow the airspeed. During the landing flare, "it felt like the bottom fell out," and the airplane bounced on the runway. The pilot then attempted to add power; however, at the same time, the airplane descended back to the runway abruptly, shattering the nose wheel. The propeller struck the runway and the airplane slid to rest on the remaining runway.

The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

Weather reported at Beaver Falls Airport, 10 miles to the west, at 0947, included winds from 210 degrees at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, and an overcast cloud layer at 3,500 feet.