Accident Details
On September 2, 2019, at approximately 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, registered as N212BS, experienced a hard landing at Fayette Regional Air Center Airport (3T5) in La Grange, Texas. The airplane was owned by Euros Aircraft Leasing LLC and operated by Brazos Valley Flight Services under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a student cross-country flight. The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate and was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that he flew across the airport at midfield and observed the windsock indicating that landing on runway 34 was favorable. He performed a normal approach. During the landing flare just before touchdown, a gust of wind from the right side lifted the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard, bounced once, and then came to a stop.
Aircraft Damage
An examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall and a collapsed nose landing gear.
Weather Conditions
Visual meteorological conditions were reported at the time of the accident. The automated weather reporting station at 3T5 recorded the following winds: at 1515, wind from 050 degrees at 5 knots; at 1535, wind from 040 degrees at 7 knots; at 1555, wind from 040 degrees, variable between 020 and 080 degrees, at 7 knots.