Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s inadequate landing flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the student pilot, his first two attempts to land resulted in bounced landings and he performed a go-around each time. On the third landing attempt, the airplane approached the runway at a shallower angle, bounced, and nose landing gear struck the ground, which caused it to collapse. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. The investigation discovered no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the student pilot, his first two attempts to land resulted in bounced landings, and he performed a go-around each time. On the third landing attempt, the airplane approached the runway at a “shallower angle,” bounced, and impacted the nose landing gear which caused it to collapse. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.