Incident Summary
On final approach, the airplane was observed to abruptly pitch nose down. The solo student pilot at the controls was in radio contact with the control tower. No reports of any problems with the airplane were made by the student pilot prior to the event.
Pilot Information
The student pilot had logged approximately 28 hours of total flight experience. According to the student pilot's flight instructor, two hours of dual instruction had been devoted to flight at minimum controllable airspeed.
Examination Findings
During the wreckage examination, the airplane flaps were determined to be in transit at the time of impact. The flap jackscrew mechanism indicated the flaps at an intermediate position of 7 degrees, while the flap handle indicated 10 degrees. The flaps should have been set for landing by the time the airplane reached its position on final approach. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were found with the airplane during the examination.