Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during touch-and-go operations on an ice-covered runway during her first solo flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that, after performing her first solo landing while conducting touch-and-go landings on an ice-covered runway, she inadvertently allowed the airplane to veer to the left of runway centerline while reconfiguring the airplane for takeoff. The student pilot reported overcorrecting with right rudder and while attempting to correct the overcorrection by applying left rudder, she inadvertently applied the left brake, resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane exited the runway surface and nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, right aileron, right lift strut, and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.