Accident Overview
A student pilot, who had accumulated 21 hours of total flight time and 0.8 hours as pilot-in-command, was conducting a landing on Runway 22. Surface winds were reported from 360 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot indicated that he was crabbing the aircraft to compensate for the crosswind.
Landing and Veer
The touchdown was uneventful. However, during the landing roll, the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot applied opposite rudder input, but it did not correct the veering. Faced with the loss of directional control, the pilot decided to execute a go-around.
Go-Around Attempt and Collision
As the pilot initiated the go-around, the left main landing gear rolled off the paved surface into muddy grass. The aircraft then pulled hard to the left and subsequently collided with a drainage ditch.
Mechanical Condition
No mechanical problems with the aircraft were reported by the pilot or recorded during the incident. The aircraft had no known deficiencies prior to the flight.