Accident Overview
A student pilot was conducting his fifth solo flight, departing from the airport where he had received his instruction. After performing several touch-and-go landings at that airport, he proceeded to a nearby airport and completed at least one additional touch-and-go landing there.
Witness Observations
Witnesses observed the takeoff, climb, and entry into the traffic pattern at the nearby airport. Shortly thereafter, they reported that the aircraft pitched nose down and impacted the bay in a nose-low, wings-level attitude. Witnesses also reported hearing the engine running at the moment of impact.
Investigation Findings
Investigators found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction or pilot impairment. The student pilot had accumulated a total of approximately 19 hours of flight time, of which about 3 hours were solo flight time.