Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was conducting his third solo flight. On approach to the runway the airplane was at 65 knots with 20 degrees of flaps as the pilot began his landing flare at approximately 8-10 feet. According to the pilot, the airplane then appeared to have lost lift and landed hard on the runway. The airplane bounced into the air and traveled approximately 30 feet before descending toward the ground again. The pilot attempted to pull back on the control yoke before it impacted the runway. Although the airplane responded to the input it struck the ground in a nose down attitude, collapsing the nose landing gear strut and wheel into the fuselage, and the aircraft skidded on its nose about 20 yards. The nose wheel landing gear collapsed and there was substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot stated there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he was engaged in his third solo flight. On approach to the runway the airplane was at 65 knots with 20 degrees of flaps and he began his landing flare at approximately 8-10 feet. According to the pilot, the airplane then appeared to have lost lift and came down hard on the runway. The airplane bounced into the air and traveled approximately 30 feet before nosing towards the ground again. The pilot attempted to pull back on the yoke of the aircraft before it impacted the runway. Although the airplane responded to the input it still struck the ground in a nose down attitude, collapsing the nose landing gear strut and wheel into the fuselage, and the aircraft skidded on its nose about 20 yards. The nose wheel gear was collapsed and there was substantial damage to the front left of the fuselage, the firewall, and the propeller. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.