Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborded crosswind landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While conducting a solo flight in the airport traffic pattern the student pilot approached the runway, and during the landing, a crosswind pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot applied engine power to abort the landing, but the airplane rolled to the left and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest in the grass next to the runway and the fuselage, engine mount, and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.