Accident Summary
A student pilot flying a Cessna 172 on a local solo flight was returning to the airport. Air traffic control (ATC) instructed the pilot to enter midfield right downwind for runway 7 right and maintain an altitude of 1,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). ATC advised that they would inform the pilot when to turn base.
Sequence of Events
After flying an extended downwind leg, ATC directed the pilot to turn base and begin descending. During the final approach, the airplane was at 1,000 feet MSL with an airspeed of 105 knots. The pilot reduced the throttle to idle and continued descending rapidly. During the landing flare, the pilot pitched the nose up excessively, then, concerned about the remaining runway length, pitched the nose down too abruptly to correct.
The airplane touched down on the nose landing gear, then bounced three to four more times while drifting away from the runway centerline. The airplane veered off the runway, where the pilot was able to regain control.
Aircraft Damage
The landing resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the airplane's performance or handling prior to the event.