NTSB Factual Report

On February 7, 2004, about 1200 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5032G, made a hard landing and veered of the runway at Pine Mountain Lake Airport (Q68), Groveland, California. The airplane was registered to a private individual, and operated by Amelia Reid Aviation under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV), San Jose, California, about 1045. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 27. When the airplane was on final approach, he determined that he was high above the glide path, but elected to perform the landing. During touchdown, the airplane hit hard and bounced back into the air. Upon returning back down onto the runway, the airplane veered to the left. It continued off the runway and encountered a ditch. The damage to airplane included the left wing main spar cracking, and the left main gear separated from the airframe. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path and misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with terrain