NTSB Factual Report

According to the student pilot, she was returning from a solo cross-country flight. Just prior to touchdown, she flared the airplane too high above the runway and the airplane touched down hard. The student pilot applied full power to attempt a go around; however, the airplane bounced, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded down the runway eventually coming to rest. The student pilot reported no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the aircraft was substantially damaged with a large hole in the cockpit floor, located just aft of the left seat rudder pedals.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.