What happened
A noncertificated solo student pilot was conducting flight training operations at a nearby airport with the specific objective of practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During one of these maneuvers, the pilot failed to execute the proper flare technique prior to touchdown on the runway.
As a result of the improper landing technique, the aircraft began to wheelbarrow down the runway surface. While attempting to maintain directional control as the aircraft started to veer toward the left side of the pavement, the student pilot applied left rudder input. Despite these corrective actions, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch located adjacent to the airfield.
The investigation
The factual narrative indicates that the primary sequence of events was driven by the pilot's failure to flare the airplane during the landing phase. This error led directly to the wheelbarrowing phenomenon, which compromised directional control and resulted in the runway excursion.