Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot had completed four successful takeoffs and landings with her instructor. The instructor then exited the airplane and the student pilot completed her first solo takeoff and landing uneventfully. During her second solo landing, the flare was improper and the airplane landed hard. The propeller made contact with the runway, damaging the firewall.
Source record
Factual narrative
The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that the student pilot of the Cessna 182 had flown with her instructor for a total of four successful takeoffs and landings, to a full stop, on the day of the accident. Her instructor exited the airplane for the student pilot's first solo flight. She then performed a successful takeoff and landing. She taxied the airplane to the takeoff runway for her second departure. During the second landing, the flare was improper and the airplane landed hard, damaging the propeller and firewall.