Incident Overview
During a cross-country instructional flight, the pilot attempted three landings. On the first two approaches, the aircraft touched down on the nose wheel and porpoised, prompting the pilot to execute a go-around each time. On the third landing, the aircraft was observed to touch down on the nose wheel without flaring. It then porpoised several times, during which the nose wheel and propeller struck the runway surface.
Pilot Background
The pilot held a private certificate and was enrolled in a training program for a commercial rating at the time of the incident.
Sequence of Events
After completing the cross-country portion of the flight, the pilot initiated the first landing approach. The aircraft touched down on the nose wheel and began porpoising. The pilot responded by initiating a go-around. A second landing attempt yielded the same result: touchdown on the nose wheel, porpoising, and another go-around. On the third approach, the aircraft again touched down on the nose wheel without any flare. The subsequent porpoising was more pronounced, resulting in the nose wheel and propeller striking the runway.