Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot not maintaining directional control during landing which resulted in a runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that he was landing during a solo flight when the accident happened. He stated that the final approach was “going well and [he] was tracking centerline all the way up until touchdown.” As the airplane entered ground effect it yawed to the left. The airplane touched down and “side loaded.” The student pilot reported that he started to initiate a go-around, but then decided it best to abort the go-around and reduced the engine power to idle. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and received substantial damage to its fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.