Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

A pilot rated witness at the accident airport reported that, the wind was 5 mph from the southeast when he observed the accident airplane land. He added that, during the approach, the airplane appeared to be low and fast. The airplane landed hard, bounced about 4 to 5 ft in the air and touched back down on the runway. He added that it appeared that the pilot tried to give the airplane power to recover, but while the airplane was about 2 ft off the ground it was turning to the left. The wings then leveled for a short time before the airplane aerodynamically stalled and nosed over into brush.

The pilot reported that while "taxiing", he "over sped" the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and the left main landing gear impacted a berm. Subsequently, the airplane veered left, bounced, the right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane then ground looped and came to rest nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and windscreen.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.