Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 71; Flight Crew Type 71
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
This was my first landing at this airport. We had about a 5 knot crosswind. I missed judged my altitude in the last few feet of the landing. I landed on the main gear and bounced. I applied some throttle to settle the plane on the return to the ground. While taxiing it was clear there was a problem with the nose gear. The two A&Ps at the field were checking the plane even before I could close my flight plan. The tire on the nose gear was blown. They replaced the tire and did a quick inspection of the plane. I flew back without incident; making a nice cross wind landing. The FBO just called me to tell me the plane had been declared totaled. Their online schedule suggests the plane has been flown twice since I flew it (both on the next day). I don't know how accurate the online schedule is but it was flown at least once. One of the pilots (I don't know if it was the first or second pilot after my flight) reported issues with the yoke and the throttle. I had no problem with either on my return flight or while taxiing after returning. It had been a little over 50 days since my last flight. I believe a recurrence would be prevented by flying more regularly or by flying with a CFI for the first flight after not flying regularly.
Small aircraft pilot reports a bounced landing after 50 days of not flying; causing the nose tire to fail. The tire is replaced and the aircraft is inspected by Maintenance; but the next day more damage is found and the aircraft is declared a total loss.