Incident Overview
On 19 August 2024, a Diamond DA20-A1 aircraft, registration SP-CAA, was involved in a serious incident during a student pilot's first solo flight. The flight was part of PPL(A) training, and the student had previously completed two circuits with an instructor before being cleared for solo operations.
Flight Sequence
The student pilot departed from concrete runway 08L at 10:02 LMT. The flight proceeded normally until the landing phase. During the flare, the pilot flared too high, causing the aircraft to lose speed and stall, resulting in a hard landing on the main landing gear. The aircraft then bounced (a 'kangaroo' effect) and subsequently impacted the runway hard on the nose landing gear, bouncing again.
Response and Second Landing
Observing the landing, the instructor issued a go-around command via radio. After the second bounce, the student pilot initiated a go-around. The instructor then directed a change of landing direction to runway 26R (concrete) to shorten the flight for safety reasons, suspecting possible propeller contact with the runway surface. The student executed an uneventful landing on the second attempt.
Injuries and Damage
The student pilot sustained no injuries. However, the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose landing gear and its shock absorber, and the engine gearbox.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the aircraft was properly maintained and equipped per regulations. The student pilot held a valid medical certificate and the necessary qualifications for the flight. Weather conditions did not contribute to the incident.
The probable cause of the incident was an excessively high flare execution, leading to a stall, subsequent bounce (kangaroo), and hard landing on the nose gear. No contributing factors were identified, and no safety recommendations were issued.