History of Flight
The student pilot was conducting a solo circuit consolidation exercise using Runway 08 at Tatenhill Airfield on 15 March 2006. The surface wind was from 070° at 12 kt. The approach for a touch-and-go on the second circuit appeared normal, but the aircraft bounced off the asphalt surface at touchdown. Following the bounce, the pilot initially applied forward pressure on the control column before applying back pressure just prior to the second touchdown. This was not sufficient to prevent the aircraft from touching down on the nosewheel, which subsequently led to the nose landing gear collapsing.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained no injuries. The aircraft suffered a collapsed nose leg, damaged propeller, and engine shockload. After the collapse, the pilot was able to exit the runway to the left before shutting down and vacating the aircraft through the normal exit.
Subsequent Actions
The pilot's instructor, who was observing from the ATC tower, subsequently rebriefed the student on the correct technique for handling a bounced landing.