ERA12CA178

Factual narrative

The student pilot was conducting his second solo flight. He reported that he felt a wind-shift to a light tailwind just prior to landing on runway 27L, and when the airplane touched down, it became airborne again. During the subsequent touchdown, the airplane landed hard and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. In addition, the propeller and left wing contacted the ground. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported 29 hours of total flight experience, which included 2 hours of solo flight time, all in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 160 degrees at 7 knots. The student pilot was conducting his second solo flight. He reported that he felt the wind shift to a light tailwind just prior to landing on runway 27L, and, when the airplane touched down, it bounced and became airborne again. During the subsequent touchdown, the airplane landed hard, and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. In addition, the propeller and left wing contacted the ground. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported 29 hours of total flight experience, which included 2 hours of solo flight time, all in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from 160 degrees at 7 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Student pilot - C