People keep assuming the pilots push forward after the bounce. I am not so sure this is the case. I was once on the jumpseat for a very heavy landing into Heraklion (though no airframe damage) and there was a very pronounced nose down moment after the initial touchdown. The handling pilot swore he did not put in a nose down input (not did he flare, but that is another issue) and later we figured it to be the following:
Big bounce on main wheels --> main wheels are behind the CG --> a nose down moment as a result.
Not to say it will happen like that every time, many factors I am sure can influence it, but I would not automatically assume that so many pilots push forward on the yoke after a heavy landing.
Last edited by Pelican; 30th June 2012 at 18:15.