NTSB Factual Report

The student pilot was conducting a solo cross country flight. While landing at the destination airport, he allowed the nose landing gear to contact the runway first, which resulted in its subsequent collapse. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the collapse of the nose landing gear.