What happens during a porpoising landing error?

In a porpoising landing error, the aircraft experiences a series of oscillations during the landing phase, distinctly characterized by bouncing between the nose gear and the main gear. This typically occurs when the pilot causes the aircraft to land with too much vertical speed or when the nose is pitched down too aggressively upon touchdown. As the main gear strikes the runway first and the nose gear subsequently makes contact, the aircraft may then bounce back up into the air. The combination of these factors leads to a seesaw effect where the aircraft continuously teeters between the two sets of gear.

Understanding this behavior is vital for pilots, as porpoising can lead to significant control issues and potentially damage the aircraft if not addressed promptly. It reflects the importance of managing descent rates and landing attitudes to ensure a smooth touchdown. The other choices do not accurately depict the dynamics of a porpoising landing and highlight other landing issues, but they do not capture the specific phenomenon of the aircraft alternating between gear contacts in a bouncing manner.