ERA20CA078

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that during his first solo flight, as the airplane approached to land, he flared too early, before reaching ground effect. Instead of performing a go-around, the student pilot then pitched the airplane nose down, which resulted in a hard landing on the nosewheel first. The airplane subsequently bounced and landed back on the main wheels before coming to a stop on the runway. After shutdown, the student and instructor noticed damage to the firewall and lower fuselage. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the student pilot report any. The student pilot reported that, during his first solo flight and as the airplane approached to land, he flared too early. Instead of performing a go-around, the student pitched the airplane's nose down, which resulted in a hard landing on the nosewheel first. The airplane subsequently bounced, landed on the main wheels, and then stopped on the runway. The firewall and lower fuselage sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and that the student did not report any. 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-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C