Background
On November 2, 2011, at about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R, registration N212CF, owned by FL Flyers LLC and operated by Frederick Flight Center, was conducting a solo instructional flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from Carroll County Regional Airport/Jack B Poage Field (DMW) in Westminster, Maryland, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot was the sole occupant and reported minor injuries.
Accident Sequence
The student pilot stated that the accident flight was his fourth solo flight. He had departed Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) and flown to DMW, where he performed a full-stop landing. During the landing roll at DMW, he noticed a slight shutter in the wheels but no steering issues. He then departed to return to FDK and entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 23. The approach was flown at 70 knots, and after what he described as a smooth touchdown, he almost immediately felt a strong vibration in the wheels and a pull to the left. He applied power to initiate a go-around and attempted to keep the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the runway, but the airplane veered to the left and departed the left side of the runway. It came to an abrupt stop with the nose pitched into the ground, resulting in substantial damage.
Postaccident Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the airplane and the airport. Black marks on the runway were noted extending to the runway edge, consistent with brake application. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear was folded under the fuselage. Further inspection of the nose landing gear shimmy damper found no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
Weather
A surface observation weather report taken at Frederick Municipal Airport at 1710, approximately 5 minutes before the accident, indicated wind from 160 degrees at 6 knots.