GAA19CA571

Factual narrative

The student solo pilot reported that, shortly after touchdown, the airplane landed ballooned and bounced twice. Subsequently, the airplane pitched down, the nose landing gear struck the runway and collapsed on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine frame. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 230° at 8 knots and about 40 minutes after the accident the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The pilot reported that during landing, the winds were 230° at 9 knots, gusting 16 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 23. The solo student pilot reported that, shortly after the airplane landed, it ballooned and then bounced twice. Subsequently, the airplane pitched down, and the nose landing gear struck the runway and then collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine frame. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C