Incident Overview
A student pilot experienced a loss of control while landing at an airport. The aircraft veered off the left side of the runway and nosed over on snow-covered terrain. The pilot, who was conducting flight training, had earlier departed under fair to good conditions.
Sequence of Events
According to the student pilot, the weather and runway conditions were fair to good at the time of departure. The weather was cold but sunny, and the compacted snow on the runway was melting. After practicing airwork in the local area for approximately one hour, the pilot returned to the airport with the intention of practicing takeoffs and landings.
The pilot reported that the landing approached normally. However, as the aircraft decelerated on the runway, it encountered an icy area, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway and subsequently nosed over on snow-covered ground.
Weather Conditions
The pilot stated that the sky had clouded over during the time away from the airport. Upon return, the previously melting snow on the runway had glazed over and was slick. The change in weather conditions resulted in a runway surface that was different from when the pilot departed.