What happened
A student pilot was conducting the return leg of a solo cross-country flight when he encountered difficulties with his navigation instruments. Unable to get the course deviation indicator to center, the pilot attempted to navigate using pilotage. However, due to an inability to identify specific landmarks, the pilot entered the incorrect canyon.
During the flight, the pilot sighted a highway that he believed to be Interstate 15, leading him to believe he was located south of Provo. In reality, the pilot was in northern Utah and had actually sighted Interstate 80. After following this highway for some time, the pilot realized the navigational error and attempted to turn around.
Shortly after the attempt to correct course, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing in an open field. During the course of the landing roll, the nosewheel folded back, causing the aircraft to nose over. An inspection of the instrument panel revealed a placard stating, 'TO/FROM FLAG REVERSED TEMPORARILY.'