Incident Overview
On November 20, 2020, at about 1450 central standard time, a Cessna 172S airplane, registration N99HV, was substantially damaged during a solo instructional flight near Lawrence, Kansas. The student pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Preflight and First Takeoff
The student pilot, planning a solo flight, received the airplane from a flight instructor who had checked it out from the flight school. The instructor indicated he would be available on the radio while working with another student. During the preflight inspection, the student did not notice anything unusual and completed the checklist for weather and runway information. He performed the engine runup and magneto checks and manipulated the control yoke through its full range of motion.
During the first takeoff, the nose pitched up, and the airplane climbed faster than expected. The student attributed this to the weight difference of flying solo versus with an instructor. He noted that he had to apply more forward pressure on the yoke than usual to keep the nose down. He double-checked the trim wheel, which was in the position he had set during preflight.
First Landing Attempt
The student remained in the traffic pattern. On final approach, he reduced throttle and prepared to land. He reported being centered on the runway and pulling back on the yoke for the flare. Suddenly, the yoke came back further, pitching the nose very high. The student prepared to add full throttle for a go-around, but the airplane stalled and landed hard.
Second Takeoff and Landing
After landing, the student moved the yoke through its full range forward and backward to check functionality. He did not notice the same "pop" sensation he had felt during the landing, so he taxied back for another takeoff. During the initial climb, there was a noticeable change in yoke pressure, and it was difficult to apply enough forward pressure to keep the nose down.
On base-to-final turn, the student again found it very difficult to control pitch and airspeed, with the yoke seeming to push forward or backward over a "stuck" point. He selected full flaps. During the landing flare, he felt a noticeable "snap" of about one to two inches of yoke movement backward. The main gear touched down first, but the nose wheel came down very fast. The student reported that the yoke was as far back as he could hold it, but the airplane did not seem to respond.
Post-Accident Examination
Initial inspection revealed damage to the nose gear and substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. Further examination found damage to the forward fuselage structure. Elevator control movement was limited, and impact damage to the tunnel structure and control yoke guides had jammed the elevator controls. Additional damage included the nose gear being tilted 15 degrees. There were no abnormalities indicating that the damage existed before the student's hard landings.