Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was on his first solo cross country flight when the accident occurred. He stated the approach was normal, however, once the airplane touched down, it became very 'squirrelly.' the airplane veered to the left of the runway, contacted a snowbank and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 18, 1993, at 1045 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N4930G, operated by Mountain Flyers and piloted by a student pilot, collided with a snowbank and nosed over during a landing roll at the Kimball Airport, Kimball, Nebraska, while on a solo training flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on December 18, 1993, at 1020 mountain standard time. The pilot stated this was the second stop during his first solo cross country flight. He stated that he was prepared to go- around and return to Fort Collins if the runway had been snow/ice covered. Upon arrival at the airport he discovered the runway was "dry and clear of ice" so he elected to land. The pilot stated that on touchdown the airplane got extremely "squirrely." The airplane then veered to the left of the runway where it contacted a plowed snowbank and nosed over. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted by the pilot, he reported no mechanical failure/malfunction of the airplane. -