Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions and maintain aircraft control during the landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane experienced a hard landing when it encountered a gust of wind just prior to the landing flare during a student solo flight. The student pilot reported that during the touchdown, the left main landing gear and nose landing gear impacted the runway. Unknown that the airplane was damaged, the student pilot executed a touch-and-go and flew the airplane back to his home airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled.
Source record
Factual narrative
The airplane experienced a hard landing after encountering a gust of wind just prior to the landing flare during a student solo flight. The student pilot reported that during the touchdown, the left main landing gear and nose landing gear impacted the runway. Unknown that the airplane was damaged, the student pilot executed a touch-and-go and flew the airplane back to his home airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.