Accident Details
A solo student pilot was practicing short field landings when the aircraft departed the runway and nosed over in a snow bank. The accident occurred during the first touch-and-go of the session.
The landing was initially good. The pilot retracted the flaps to 10 degrees and added power. As the aircraft accelerated, it began to veer left. The pilot reported that there was no response to rudder input and that he did not apply the right brake.
The aircraft left the runway surface. The wheels dug into the snow, causing the aircraft to nose over.
The runway in use was Runway 16. The wind was reported as 130 degrees at nine knots.
Post-Accident Examination
An investigator at the scene found the left wheel difficult to rotate. However, an examination of the brake system revealed no evidence of a malfunction.