Incident Overview
Tower personnel observed the aircraft on a high, fast final approach. According to their account, the aircraft appeared to be forced onto the runway, making initial contact with the nosewheel and bouncing back into the air. On the second contact with the runway, the nosewheel fork split and the nosewheel separated from the aircraft.
Pilot Statement and Wind Conditions
The 19-year-old student pilot stated that surface winds at the airport were a factor in the accident. However, tower measurements indicated that the surface wind was calm at the time of the incident.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was on a final approach that tower personnel described as high and fast. The landing was not smooth; the aircraft struck the runway on the nosewheel first, then bounced. After the bounce, it came down again, and during that second impact the nosewheel fork fractured, causing the nosewheel to detach from the aircraft. The pilot's assertion that wind conditions contributed was not supported by the calm wind recorded at the airport.