What happened
The student pilot was conducting a training flight that involved a crosswind approach and landing. Upon final approach, the aircraft touched down with significant force, resulting in a hard landing. Following the initial touchdown, the aircraft drifted laterally toward the side of the runway. During this drift, one main wheel left the paved surface.
As the aircraft prepared for its next touchdown phase, the pilot attempted to maintain directional control by holding the aircraft straight in the direction of travel. However, the nose gear encountered a shallow ditch located near the edge of the runway. The impact caused the nose wheel to drop into the depression, leading to the aircraft nosing over.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated that the primary damage resulted from the nose-over event following the off-runway excursion. The sequence of events began with the hard landing and subsequent drift, which placed the aircraft in a vulnerable position on the unpaved shoulder.