ERA12CA461

Factual narrative

According to the student pilot, his first two attempts to land resulted in bounced landings, and he performed a go-around each time. On the third landing attempt, the airplane approached the runway at a “shallower angle,” bounced, and impacted the nose landing gear which caused it to collapse. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the student pilot, his first two attempts to land resulted in bounced landings and he performed a go-around each time. On the third landing attempt, the airplane approached the runway at a shallower angle, bounced, and nose landing gear struck the ground, which caused it to collapse. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. The investigation discovered no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Student pilot - C