Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot reported that, during the approach, the "winds got very powerful," He added that the winds were "too strong and out of [his] capacity and personal minimums." During the landing, the airplane landed flat and bounced twice. He then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 2 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 27.
Source record
Factual narrative
The solo student pilot reported that during the approach, the "winds got very powerful". He added that, the winds were "too strong and out of [his] capacity and personal minimums". During the landing, the airplane landed flat and bounced a couple of times. He then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 2 nautical miles from the accident site reported, that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 27.