Incident Overview
A student pilot was returning from a business cross-country flight and was preparing to land. While on the downwind leg, he observed the wind sock indicating a crosswind. He subsequently flew a long final approach and did not notice the crosswind. During the flare, the pilot perceived a slight tailwind, as his airspeed was 85 knots compared to the usual landing speed of 70-75 knots.
Sequence of Events
After the flare, the aircraft floated beyond the halfway point of the runway. The pilot then forced the nose down onto the runway surface. This action caused the aircraft to bounce. During the bounce, the nose landing gear and the left main landing gear separated from the aircraft. The aircraft continued and came to a stop off the left side of the runway, near the end.
Aircraft Damage
As a result of the landing gear separation, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The nose gear and left main gear were detached from the airframe. The aircraft came to rest off the left side of the runway.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a student pilot conducting a cross-country flight for business purposes. The pilot reported that his typical landing speed was between 70 and 75 knots, but on this approach he was indicating 85 knots. He noted a slight tailwind during the flare.