Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

According to the pilot's written statement, he had made two uneventful night full-stop landings, noting "swirling winds" on final approach that were "strange" but had "no considerable impact." As he flared for the third landing, the airplane "went nose down in a quick motion." He heard the nose gear strut collapse so he added power and made a go-around. He then landed uneventfully. Post-accident examination revealed the firewall and related structural components had been bent. There were also 1/6-inch nicks on 2 of the 3 propeller blade tips.

According to the airport's AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System), the wind was calm at the time of the accident. The pilot's delay in reacting to the adverse wind conditions.