Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain the proper pitch attitude during touchdown, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent propeller strike.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot reported that, after completing touch-and-go maneuvers in the pattern with her flight instructor, the flight instructor deplaned. The student then completed three more touch-and-go landings, but on the final landing, the airplane touched down nose first and then bounced. She attempted to go around, but the airplane bounced again, and the propeller struck the runway. She maneuvered the airplane back to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount frame, mounts, and nose landing gear tunnel. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The solo student pilot reported that, after completing touch and go maneuvers in the pattern with her flight instructor, the flight instructor deplaned. The student then completed three more touch and goes but on the final landing, the airplane touched down nose first and bounced. She attempted to go around but the airplane bounced again, and the propeller struck the runway. She maneuvered the airplane back to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount frame, mounts and nose landing gear tunnel. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.