Incident Overview
During the second leg of a solo cross-country flight, a student pilot experienced a porpoise oscillation while landing. The oscillation caused the propeller to strike the runway, resulting in structural damage to the airplane. The pilot executed an aborted landing and subsequently diverted to Red Bluff Municipal Airport, where he performed an uneventful landing.
Sequence of Events
The approach to the intended runway was normal. However, during touchdown, the airplane began to porpoise. The pilot responded by initiating an aborted landing and flew the airplane to Red Bluff Municipal Airport. After landing, he parked the airplane on the ramp and shut down the engine.
Post-Flight Inspection
The pilot inspected the airplane and discovered damage to the propeller, which occurred when it struck the ground during the porpoise event. A subsequent inspection by maintenance personnel revealed additional structural damage. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.