Accident Details
The aircraft ran off the end of a runway and collided with a ditch. The runway was a sod surface measuring 2,175 feet in length. At the time of the accident, the runway surface was wet and icy. The pilot touched down one-third down the length of the runway, and braking was poor due to the surface condition.
Pilot and Flight
The pilot was a student flying his first solo cross-country flight. He had become disoriented during the flight and landed at an airport 95 miles off his intended course. The flight had been in progress for 2 hours and 30 minutes; the planned time to reach an enroute stop was 1 hour and 10 minutes. No flight plan had been filed.
Weather Conditions
The weather was reported as visual meteorological conditions (VMC). However, visibility was restricted to 5 miles in haze. The pilot attempted a precautionary landing downwind, which contributed to the inability to stop on the short, contaminated runway.