Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 434; Flight Crew Type 5
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
I took off from ZZZ in my 2008 CAW SportCruiser; an aircraft that I had recently purchased. This was my first flight from ZZZ where I had based the aircraft. I flew around the local area to familiarize myself with landmarks in a 15 NM area near ZZZ. When I returned to land; an aircraft that was returning to the airport announced their intention to land on runway XX. I set up to enter the pattern for that runway about 5 NM away and went over the approach in my mind. Then; when I was about 3 NM away; I heard a pilot announce he was entering a left downwind for runway XY. I was surprised and concerned and made changes to my power setting and flaps setting from downwind settings. I changed my approach to enter a crosswind for runway XY. I was still a little shaken by the sudden change in approach for landing. The downwind and base legs were uneventful. The final approach started well; but as I neared the runway threshold; the PAPI system indicated that I was below the glide slope. I added a little power to get back on the glide slope; but I was too far into the landing. The aircraft hit hard and then the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft slid about 250 feet on top of the nose gear fairing and cowling. The prop struck the asphalt and one blade snapped off. Fortunately; I was thoroughly strapped into the four-point restraint harness and was uninjured.In retrospect; I should have abandoned the approach when it became unstable; and initiated a go-around. This will be a very expensive lesson. I am grateful that I emerged from the experience physically unscathed.
Pilot reported a decision to continue the approach after becoming unstabilized; resulting in a hard landing which collapsed the nose landing gear.