Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds during landing. Contributing to the accident was a wind gust.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was on a solo cross-country flight. As the airplane passed over the runway threshold at her planned destination, a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane down to the ground. The airplane landed hard bending the nose gear aft and damaging the firewall. The pilot did not report experiencing any flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot stated that she was on a solo cross-country flight to Monroe County Airport (MVC), Monroeville, Alabama. She said that she checked the Automated Service Observing System (ASOS) weather at Middleton Field Airport (GZH), Evergreen, Alabama, prior to landing. She added that the GZH ASOS reported winds variable at 3 knots gusting to 14 knots. Review of the 1353 GZH weather revealed that winds were variable at 5 knots and clear. The student pilot went on to say that while passing over the runway threshold, a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane down to the ground, causing the airplane to land hard and bending the nose gear aft. The pilot did not report experiencing any flight control or mechanical anomalies prior to the accident. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the firewall and underbelly of the airplane were buckled.