PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 700; Flight Crew Type 300
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather; Human Factors
I am reporting as the certified flight instructor of the student pilot (student pilot Number 1) of the incident. I was on a flight with another student; but witnessed the incident from the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. I was still on Tower frequency while (student pilot Number 1) was landing. The following report is based on what I saw and what (student Number 1) briefed with me on the ground after the fact: (student pilot Number 1) was cleared to land on a bumpy approach because of turbulence. This was the second solo flight (student pilot Number 1) and she had just made the decision to make this landing a full stop because the winds were variable between about 170-230; and she felt a little uncomfortable. She said that the turbulence was uncomfortable but nothing unusual. She had no problems with the approach even though she experienced up and downdrafts. The VASI was out of service; so she didn't know her exact position on glide path. She estimates she got slightly high on short final; with a slightly high airspeed. While in the flare she recounts the 'nose dropped' unexpectedly and the next thing she knew she had turned slightly more than 90 degrees and was on the north edge of the runway. The Tower obviously noticed and responded initially by diverting traffic inbound for [that runway]. (Student pilot Number 1) almost immediately contacted the Tower and informed them that she had done a 180 on the runway. The Tower asked if she could taxi off the runway; but she said no because she was too close to the edge; and she didn't want to taxi off the runway. The Tower was helpful and started diverting traffic on the ground and in the air to the parallel runway. They called our flight school Maintenance to tug her back to the ramp. The runway was closed for about 15-20 minutes until she was clear and an airport vehicle had inspected the runway. No damage was done to the runway or the aircraft. The student was clearly shaken after event; but other than that; no harm was brought to any individual.
A flight instructor reported his observation of a student pilot that experienced a ground loop during landing. The aircraft did not depart from the runway surface and the student pilot was not injured.