Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing with gusting wind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that he was doing a touch and go on runway 7 when a “heavy south wind lifted [his] right wing.” The airplane touched down, bounced, and became airborne again. The student pilot attempted a go around; however, the airplane nosed down and the student pilot felt the propeller strike the ground. The nose landing gear separated, and the airplane came to rest on the edge of the runway. The lower forward fuselage sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 7 with wind from 090° at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots.