Accident Details
While flying the final leg of the traffic pattern during a solo flight, the student pilot observed that the airplane was too high. He reduced the power to idle. Subsequently, he noted the airplane was too fast and applied back pressure to the control yoke. This action caused the airplane to balloon. The student pilot then added power to initiate a go-around. However, the airplane impacted the runway in a nose-down attitude. After the initial impact, the aircraft became airborne briefly and struck the runway again. The nose gear assembly collapsed during the second impact. The airplane came to rest in the dirt on the left side of the runway.
Pilot Account
The student pilot reported his observations and actions during the incident. He described the sequence of reducing power, applying back pressure, and then attempting a go-around after the balloon. The subsequent impacts led to the collapse of the nose gear.
Damage
The accident sequence resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane's condition prior to the incident was normal.