NYC94LA182

During landing on runway 32, the airplane bounced twice, during which, and unbeknown to the pilot, the propeller struck the runway. The pilot aborted the landing, returned to the airport, and landed without incident. Later, after he shutdown the engine, ground personnel informed him that the airplane was damaged. The pilot in retrospect reported, 'It seems likely that my hands were forced forward somewhat on the yoke and throttle on the jolt of the first bounce. This may have amplified the second bounce which is when the propeller strike probably happened.

On September 21, 1994, at 2245 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N3024M, piloted by Eric Wabschall, was substantially damaged while landing at Buffalo International Airport, Buffalo, New York. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

After landing on runway 32, the pilot wrote in his statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, " upon landing I bounced the plane twice, and elected to go around." After aborting the landing, he returned to the airport, and landed on runway 14. After deplaning the pilot was told by a line crew member the airplane had been damaged. The pilot wrote on his statement:

...after some reflection, it seems likely that my hands were forced forward somewhat on the yoke and throttle on the jolt of the first bounce. This may have amplified the second bounce which is when the propeller strike probably happened.

In a telephone interview with the pilot the NTSB learned from him that this was his first solo night landing after receiving a 2 hour night check flight. By the pilot's own admission he was not very proficient in night flight operations.