Cessna C172, VH-CMP, Northam, Western Australia, on 28 December 1989

Circumstances:

The pilot planned to take two members of his family flying while conducting some local refresher flying in the circuit and local training area. On the ground it was very hot, but the wind was calm. The pilot loaded the first passenger and conducted two circuits without incident. He then loaded the second passenger and departed the circuit for the training area. Upon return to the aerodrome the pilot noted that there was a light wind from the west and planned his circuit entry to land on runway 31. The circuit appeared to be normal until on final when he felt that he was too high and too fast. However, he selected full flap and continued the approach touching down beyond the halfway point of the runway. The aircraft landed heavily nose wheel first and then bounced approximately two metres into the air. The tail cone and lower rudder also struck the ground as the aircraft bounced two more times before coming to rest off the right side of the runway.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The pilot failed to initiate a go-around when he became unhappy with the approach.

2. The pilot exercised an improper recovery from a bounced landing.