On July 23, 2007, a Beech C23 (registration N6005X) was involved in an aviation accident near Taylor, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's misjudged landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing that resulted in a hard landing and a loss of directional control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot's first solo landing ended in a hard landing, porpoise, and veer-off runway into brush, resulting in a post-impact fire that destroyed the aircraft.
Accident Sequence
During the first landing of a solo flight, a student pilot flared too high, resulting in a hard landing. The airplane then bounced down the runway in a porpoise before veering off the runway into brush. After entering the brush, the aircraft caught fire and was consumed in the post-impact fire.
Pilot Actions
The student pilot had flown with a certified flight instructor (CFI) for approximately 50 minutes before being signed off to complete the solo flight. While in the traffic pattern, the student attempted to avoid rain and shortened the downwind leg. After turning onto the base leg, the student realized the turn had been made too soon. The student decided to continue with the landing at a steeper than normal approach angle and a higher airspeed. The student reported misjudging the flare, leading to the hard landing and subsequent bounce.
Damage
Both main landing gear were sheared off during the accident sequence.