Hard Landing and Runway Excursion During Student Pilot Approach

Event Description

A solo student pilot was conducting an approach for landing. During the approach, the airspeed was slightly higher than desired, but the pilot reported that he was maintaining the runway centerline. The airplane subsequently touched down hard and veered to the left. The pilot applied right aileron and right rudder control inputs in an attempt to correct the deviation, but the airplane continued moving left. It departed the runway surface and struck a taxiway sign.

Damage

The left wing of the airplane sustained substantial damage as a result of the impact with the taxiway sign.

Pilot Report

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.