Student Pilot Porpoises on First Solo Landings, Firewall Damaged

Accident Overview

On her first supervised solo flight, a student pilot experienced two landings characterized by porpoising. According to the student pilot's report, the aircraft porpoised three times on the first landing before coming to a full stop. She then taxied back to the departure end of the runway for a second takeoff.

Landing Events

During the second landing, the aircraft porpoised four times. The student pilot taxied back to the flight school without further incident. No pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine were reported by the student pilot.

Post-Accident Inspection

Following the hard landings and subsequent porpoises, the flight instructor conducted a post-accident examination of the engine and airframe. The inspection revealed substantial damage to the firewall.