Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing, as well as his improper decision to continue the takeoff after striking the propeller on the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a planned touch-and-go landing, the student pilot flared too high and the airplane landed hard, bounced, and the propeller struck the runway. The student pilot executed a go-around. During the climbout, at approximately 250 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The student pilot executed a straight-ahead forced landing, during which the airplane's right wing and horizontal stabilizer were separated. The airplane subsequently nosed over, coming to rest inverted in a tree line. The student pilot, who was trapped in the inverted airplane, was extracted 30 minutes later by emergency response crews; he sustained minor injuries. A serviceable propeller was later installed and the airplane's engine was successfully tested for over 20 minutes, including several minutes at full power.
Source record
Factual narrative
During a planned touch and go landing, the student pilot flared too high and the airplane landed hard, bounced, and the propeller struck the runway. The student pilot executed a go-around. During the climbout, at approximately 250 feet agl, the engine lost power. The student pilot executed a straight ahead forced landing, during which the airplane's right wing and horizontal stabilizer were separated. The airplane subsequently nosed over coming to rest inverted in a tree line. The student pilot, who was trapped in the inverted airplane, was extracted 30 minutes later by emergency response crews. He sustained minor injuries. A serviceable propeller was later installed and the airplane's engine was test run for over 20 minutes, including several minutes at full power.