Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was performing his first attempted landing on his second solo flight. He reported that, after touchdown, "the airplane bounced an unknown amount of times" until the propeller struck the runway and the nosegear collapsed. The student pilot stated that "as a result of my lack of experience I was unable to recognize an immediate go-around situation." The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing spars and firewall.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot was performing his first attempted landing on his second solo flight. He reported that after touchdown, "the airplane bounced an unknown amount of times" until the propeller struck the runway and the nose gear collapsed. The student pilot stated: "as a result of my lack of experience I was unable to recognize an immediate go-around situation." The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing spars and firewall.