Flight Instructor and student pilot reported that during the student's solo flight the aircraft bounced on touchdown. The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded to a stop on the runway.
Synopsis
Flight Instructor and student pilot reported that during the student's solo flight the aircraft bounced on touchdown. The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded to a stop on the runway.
Narrative
My student Person A; had an accident while doing pattern work on her first solo. I signed off Person A for her first solo; and all radio calls and procedures went well during taxi; takeoff; climb; and traffic pattern procedures. However; when she was coming in to land; it appeared she bounced (not sure how many times she bounced) and lost control; causing the nose wheel to hit the ground hard. The nose strut collapsed and the prop then struck the ground where the plane stopped. My student; Person A; was physically okay and checked by medics; just understandably shaken. The weather this day was clear and winds were light (maybe 4-5 knots).Prior to the accident; my student Person A flew with our check airmen and was told that she flew very well and was given approval to fly solo. Prior to this first solo; she also flew with another instructor a few times the week prior who said she was also ready to solo. I flew with her the day prior to the accident doing short field and soft field landings and all procedures were good. The day of the accident I flew with her for about an hour without touching controls to verify again that her flying was good. She was able to operate the plane on her own very well and discussed with her when in doubt; go around. For these reasons; and now 3 instructors agreeing she is ready to solo; I made the decision to sign her off for her first solo. While listening to the radio; I heard there was an accident and went to make sure she was okay.I believe the result of the accident was caused by a failure to go around after the first bounce. Her first thought after anything unstable or non standard should have been to go around. In the event something like this happens again; a go around would have prevented the accident and is always the safest choice.
Second reporter narrative
It was my first Solo flight; 1st landing. Taxied out for a normal takeoff; normal pattern; normal approach. After that; All I remember is setting up for a landing; my speed was normal; at 60 knots; I pulled the power; flared; touched down; and the plane started bouncing. I did not know what to do since I had already touched down. I had never bounced like that. Then the nose gear collapsed and I skidded to a stop on the runway. Once l realized what happened I called ATC. There were no injuries.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.