Incident Overview
A student pilot, on his first solo flight, was performing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. During the third landing, the student flared the airplane high, resulting in a hard landing that caused the aircraft to bounce back into the air. The pilot then pitched the nose up, and the tail section struck the runway before the aircraft landed.
Immediate Actions and Initial Inspection
Following the tail strike, the student pilot taxied the airplane off the active runway and brought it to a full stop. A visual examination of the exterior revealed minor damage. The student reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Maintenance personnel examined the airplane, found no further issues, and released it back into service.
Subsequent Flight and Secondary Examination
The airplane was used during another flight, during which the flight controls were noted to be difficult to manipulate. The aircraft was returned for further examination. During this second inspection, substantial damage was discovered to the firewall, which originated from the first event.