Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot reported that during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a wind gust and began to porpoise on the runway. The student pilot further reported that the nose wheel collapsed, the airplane skidded off the runway to the left, and nosed over. The fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The student pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observing system 14 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 160 degrees true at 12 knots. The student pilot reported that he landed on runway 13. The student pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report.
Source record
Factual narrative
The solo student pilot reported that during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a wind gust and began to porpoise on the runway. The student pilot further reported that the nose wheel collapsed, the airplane skidded off the runway to the left, and nosed over. The fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The student pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observing system 14 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 160 degrees true at 12 knots. The student pilot reported that he landed on runway 13. The student pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report.