Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was on his first solo cross-country flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. While landing at his destination airport, the airplane swerved to the left and the student pilot attempted to regain directional control, but was unable. The airplane exited the side of the runway and nosed over, coming to rest in an inverted position. The airplane’s right wing and right wing struts sustained substantial damage during the accident. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot was on his first solo cross-country flight in a tailwheel equipped airplane. While landing to runway 17 at his destination airport, the airplane swerved to the left and the student pilot attempted to regain directional control, but was unable. The airplane exited the side of the runway and nosed over; coming to rest in an inverted position. The airplane’s right wing and right wing struts sustained structural damage during the accident. The winds were reported to be from 020 degrees at 6 knots at the time of the mishap. The student pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.