Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a drainage culvert.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that he was performing a solo training flight in the traffic pattern. During the landing flare, the airplane touched down hard and bounced about 20 ft left of the runway centerline. It subsequently exited the left side of the runway and entered a drainage culvert before it came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the student pilot, he was performing a solo training flight in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident. During the landing flare, the airplane touched down hard and bounced about 20 ft to the left of the runway centerline. It subsequently exited the left side of the runway and entered a drainage culvert before it came to a stop. The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable with no gusts present. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.