Incident Details
A student pilot was conducting the first landing of an extended cross-country flight. During the approach, her attention was diverted by another aircraft operating in the landing pattern. The pilot subsequently shortened the landing pattern, maintained a higher approach speed than normal, and selected 10 degrees of flaps instead of the planned 20 degrees. After aligning with the runway, she reduced the throttle. As she began to flare for landing, the airplane contacted the runway hard, resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear.
Pilot Statement
The student pilot reported that she was distracted by the other airplane in the traffic pattern. She acknowledged that she shortened the pattern, was slightly fast on approach, and used only half the intended flap setting. She stated that after retarding the throttle and initiating the flare, the airplane landed hard.
Aircraft Damage
The hard landing caused the nose gear to collapse. No other damage was specified in the report.