Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While landing during a solo cross country instructional flight, the airplane impacted the runway in a nose low attitude. The airplane began to porpoise and the student pilot attempted to recover the airplane. During the recovery from a bounced landing, the airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled.
Source record
Factual narrative
While landing during a solo cross country instructional flight, the airplane impacted the runway in a nose low attitude. The airplane began to porpoise and the student pilot attempted to recover the airplane. During the recovery from a bounced landing, the airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.