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 fourth solo flight. He stated that while landing, he had corrected appropriately for the crosswind and upon touchdown the airplane was aligned with the runway. The airplane started to drift to the left and he ceased application of left brake and rudder and applied right brake and rudder. The airplane continued to drift to the left, exited the runway, and struck a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane or its systems that would have precluded normal operations.