What happened
The incident occurred while a student pilot was conducting solo flight training focused on touch-and-go landing procedures. During the final approach of the sequence, the aircraft ballooned upward instead of maintaining the intended descent path. Upon touchdown, the airplane began to porpoise, bouncing repeatedly along the runway surface.
In an attempt to abort the landing and execute a go-around, the pilot applied engine power. However, simultaneous with this input, the pilot inadvertently pushed the elevator control forward rather than pulling back. This incorrect control input caused the aircraft's nose to drop sharply. The airplane struck the ground in a nose-down attitude, resulting in the collapse of the nose wheel.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site and the aircraft revealed that the primary damage was concentrated on the nose landing gear assembly. The structural failure was consistent with a high-energy impact caused by the nose wheel striking the pavement before the main wheels could support the aircraft's weight. No mechanical failures or malfunctions with the flight controls were identified prior to the incident.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a loss of control during the transition from landing to go-around. The initial ballooning on touchdown suggests improper energy management or flare technique by the pilot. The subsequent porpoising exacerbated the situation, requiring immediate corrective action. The critical error was the application of forward elevator pressure while adding power, which forced the nose down into the runway surface.
Safety message
Proper control coordination is essential during go-around maneuvers, particularly when dealing with unstable landings. Pilots must ensure that pitch attitude is maintained or increased appropriately when applying power to avoid a nose-down pitching moment that can lead to ground strikes.