Caravan 208B
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 1340; Flight Crew Type 32
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Evacuated
Airport; Human Factors
As I was on final for Runway 04 (hard surface) I elected to land on the adjacent grass runway in order to decrease the wear on the right main tire which was showing wear into the cords. The aircraft touched down without issues in the grass at approximately 75 KTS.As the aircraft continued to roll on the grass it encountered a slight change in surface/bump (a hard surface taxiway leading to Runways 04/22). When the aircraft rolled over the taxiway; it became airborne. The aircraft then touched down on the other side of the taxiway; in the grass on three points of contact. The aircraft bounced on the three points a second time and the front nose wheel collapsed; causing the aircraft's engine to have a propeller strike; and come to a complete stop. At this point; the idle cut off; throttle and fuel selectors were turned off; as well as the battery power and stand-by power switches were placed in the off position. The single passenger and I exited the aircraft; and moved to the rear of the aircraft. The ELT was triggered; and was turned off after approximately five minutes. There were no injuries to the passenger; or myself. The State police as well as the local FSDO were notified and a report was filed.
When a C-208 pilot opted to land on the grass 'adjacent to' the paved runway at a small uncontrolled airport he lost control when the aircraft bounced while rolling over a crossing hard surface taxiway. When the aircraft touched down again the nose gear collapsed and the prop struck the ground. The reporter opted to land on the grass due to the worn condition of the right main gear tire.