What happened
The incident occurred while a student pilot was conducting his fourth solo flight of the day. During the landing phase, the aircraft bounced upon touchdown. As the pilot attempted to recover from the bounce, he lost directional control of the airplane. The aircraft departed the right side of the runway and collided with a parked Piper PA-28-140.
The investigation
Following the accident, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the aircraft involved in the incident. The investigation focused on the operational circumstances surrounding the landing and the subsequent loss of control.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the loss of directional control after a bounced landing. Contributing to this event was the pilot's fatigue or workload, indicated by the fact that this was his fourth solo flight of the day. The collision with the parked aircraft resulted from the departure from the runway surface.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware of the risks associated with multiple consecutive takeoffs and landings. Fatigue can significantly impair a pilot's ability to handle abnormal situations, such as a bounced landing, effectively. Proper rest between flights is essential for maintaining safe operational performance.