What happened
On June 15, 2025, a student pilot was conducting solo flight training for a PPL(A) license. After completing an initial successful flight, the pilot commenced a second solo flight at 10:05 UTC. During the landing approach at Dęblin airport, the initial touchdown was performed with a low nose wheel, likely a three-point landing, which caused the Diamond DA-20, registration SP-TEC, to bounce to an altitude of approximately one meter.
In an attempt to correct the bounce, the pilot failed to stabilize the aircraft, resulting in a second bounce. An instructor monitoring the flight advised increasing engine power with the intention of performing a go-around. However, a third hard landing occurred, causing the nose landing gear strut to break and the propeller to strike the runway surface. Following the impact, the aircraft veered left during the landing roll. The pilot remained uninjured, though the aircraft sustained significant damage, including a broken nose gear and a damaged propeller.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence, the pilot's corrective actions, and the mechanical response of the aircraft. The investigation established that the weather conditions were favorable and did not contribute to the incident. The analysis focused on the sequence of bounces and the pilot's inability to execute a successful go-around before the third impact.