N7054Q

On August 13, 2003, at 1950 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N7054Q, nosed over while landing on runway 09 (3,589 feet by 100 feet, grass) at the Dacy Airport (0C0), Harvard, Illinois. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at 0C0 at 1830.

The student pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings. He stated he performed three takeoffs and landings with his flight instructor in the airplane. The flight instructor then exited the airplane and he continued to practice takeoffs and landings. He stated he made two uneventful landings and the accident happened on the third landing.

The pilot stated that he closed the throttle when he reached his "aim point" on the airstrip. He stated the airplane then dropped from an altitude of about 8 feet, landing on the nose wheel. The airplane bounced and came down again at which time the nose gear collapsed. The propeller contacted the ground and the airplane nosed over.

The pilot stated a groove was visible in the airstrip were the nose wheel made the initial contact. The nose gear separated from the airplane and was found between the initial contact point and the final resting place of airplane.