Accident Details
According to the student pilot, the flight departed from runway 10 and remained in right closed traffic. On final approach, the pilot felt the airplane was slightly high and considered a go-around but decided to land further down the runway instead. During the flare, the pilot perceived an increase in wind. The airplane floated approximately 5 feet above the ground; as it floated, the left wing rose and the airplane touched down on the runway.
The pilot again considered a go-around but elected not to because the airplane was too slow and too far down the runway. The airplane then began to porpoise, with the bounce described as "back up more sharply." After touching down, the airplane bounced into a nose-high attitude, then collided with the runway in a nose-down attitude, causing the nose gear to collapse. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down attitude.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found structural damage to the fuselage tunnel. The student pilot stated that no mechanical problems were experienced before the accident.