NTSB Factual Report

On May 28, 2003, at 2045 central daylight time, an Ercoupe Model 415E, N94779, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it experienced a nose gear collapse while landing at the Heyde Airport (8ND4), Manvel, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from the Heyde Airport, at 2015.

The pilot reported the airplane touched down "very hard" and bounced. The pilot stated he attempted to land the airplane again, but the nose landing gear and the left wingtip impacted the terrain first. The pilot noted the impact collapsed the nose landing gear and the airplane skidded to a stop.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the collapse of the nose landing gear strut.