ERA20CA115

Factual narrative

The student pilot was conducting her first ever solo flight and bounced on landing and the stall horn sounded. The airplane bounced three more times before the nose wheel collapsed and the left wing contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to an engine mount and the left wing. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane or engine prior to the accident. She said the accident could have been prevented if she had executed a go-around. The student pilot reported that, while conducting her first solo flight, the airplane bounced on landing, and the stall horn sounded. The airplane bounced three more times before the nosewheel collapsed, and the left wing contacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to an engine mount and the left wing. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. She said the accident could have been prevented if she had executed a go-around. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C