Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot made several landings with his flight instructor on board. The instructor then exited the airplane and signed the student pilot off for his first solo flight. Two landings were uneventful, but on the third landing, the airplane ballooned during the flare. The airplane then pitched over and landed hard on the nose. A postaccident examination determined that the firewall had buckled.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot made several landings with his flight instructor on board. The instructor then exited the airplane, and signed the student pilot off for the first solo flight. Two landings were uneventful, but on the third landing, the airplane ballooned during the flare. The airplane then pitched over, and landed hard on the nose. Post accident examination determined that the firewall had buckled.