Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly align the airplane with the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A landing was being attempted on a snow covered sod airstrip when the accident occurred. The student pilot stated that after takeoff he circled the airstrip to visually identify the landing area from the air. Following aerial maneuver practice the pilot returned to the airstrip to land. Instead of aligning with the airstrip, he lined up for the landing off the left side of the runway between the runway lights and a fence. The airplane contacted 8-10' deep snow on touchdown.
Source record
Factual narrative
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