Cessna Single Piston Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 30; Flight Crew Type 30
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Weather; Human Factors
I arrived at the flight training [facility] for first three hours of ground school and then planned out a solo cross country with me planning to do three touch and go's and then return to [the departure airport]. After lunch; my instructor and I did the preflight and found the airplane to be fine. The weather was clear; but the wind was gusty and the flight was turbulent. During my flight I was flying at 2;500 FT and in contact with ATC Approach the entire time. Approximately 10 miles out; I called and requested three touch and go's and was cleared to start a left downwind. While on the downwind I was cleared to land. My approach was normal; my speed and altitude were both normal. At the last minute when I was flaring just a few feet off the ground; there seemed to be a gust of wind that caused the plane to float; as the plane settled back to the ground; the landing was bumpy; and I felt as if the plane hit hard on the nose and thought the propeller had struck the ground; so I elected to kill the power and not try to go-around. The plane then bounced several times and I tried to stay on the rudders and keep the plane straight on the runway. At one point; the front nose wheel came off the aircraft and I continued to remain calm and keep the plane as straight as I could with the rudder. The plane finally came to a stop on the runway. I immediately called the Tower and told them that I had crashed; but did not get a response after about thirty seconds. I shut off the lights; but left the avionics Master switch on; just in case I needed to try to contact Tower again. I then got out of the plane and tried to call 911 on my cell phone; as I had been on the ground for some time and the Tower had not responded or sent anyone to assist me. After dialing 911 I let the line ring several times; but received no response. I then reached into the plane to put my headset on and call Tower again; and this time received a response. I was told to shut off all electrical equipment and get out of the plane and walk thirty feet away. I did as I was told and shortly after that people started arriving on the scene. I then called my instructor and informed her of the incident. I was not injured in any way; so required no medical care. I stayed [with the aircraft] until airport personnel took me to the FBO. My instructor then flew [over] by herself to pick me up; and she and I both met with the FAA. My instructor and I then flew back to [the departure airport].
The student pilot on a solo cross country flight experienced gusty winds during landing resulting in damage to the nose landing gear of the Cessna 162.