ORIGINAL: ScienceisCool
So I was out flying the new 4*40 this weekend and have a question related to a hard landing. It was cold (39) and no wind. Was flying around fine and came in to land. Over the end of the runway and about 5 or 6 feet up cut the throttle to idle it in. It floated a minute and then nose-dived. I was able to bring the nose up so most of the impact was on the mains but also hit the prop.
I'm thinking this was due to either not enough speed or when I cut the throttle to idle I lost airflow from the propwash over the elevator or a combinate of both. The plane is a bit nose-heavy anyway.
Thanks!
John
If the plane is nose heavy then the forward stall is going to occure at a faster flying speed than if you had the CG set more to specifications. If your used to landing with a head wind and now suddenly had calm air then you will need to carry more forward momentum into the landing aproach as well as that head wind is essentailly added to your plane's airspeed.
Practice flying that plane to the ground. Get as slow as you are comfortable but still at flying speed with power slightly above idle and shoot touch and goes. be sure you do full T&G's (you know, roll out 10-15 ft on the mains, don't bother slowing to let the tail drop) and not just bounce and goes
When you are comfotable doing this (landing at flying speed) you will find the suprise hard landings don't happen.