What happened
The accident occurred while the student pilot was conducting his first solo landing. During the final approach, the pilot flared the aircraft at an excessive height, which resulted in the development of a high sink rate. The airplane subsequently landed hard and bounced upon initial contact with the runway surface.
In response to the bounce, the student pilot applied power in an attempt to execute a go-around. However, the aircraft touched down again, bounced once more, and then settled onto the nose wheel first. This sequence of events caused the nose landing gear to collapse.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the landing phase. Examination of the event revealed that the initial flare was too high, leading to an unstable approach and a hard impact with the runway. The subsequent application of power did not prevent the second touchdown, which resulted in structural failure of the nose gear due to the nose-first impact.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper flare technique during the landing. The excessive height at flare led to a high sink rate and a hard bounce. The subsequent attempt to go-around was unsuccessful, resulting in a second touchdown that overstressed the nose landing gear beyond its structural limits.
Safety message
Proper flare technique is critical for safe landings. Pilots must ensure they do not flare too high, which can lead to high sink rates and hard landings. If a bounce occurs, pilots should be prepared to execute a go-around promptly and correctly to avoid further damage or loss of control.