Flight Details
According to the student pilot and the operator of the airplane, the student was conducting a solo cross-country flight from Rockwall, Texas, to Bonham, Texas, with an intermediate stop in Paris, Texas. The flight originated from Rockwall.
Navigation Difficulties
During the leg from Rockwall to Paris, the student was unable to locate his destination airport. After searching for approximately 20 minutes, he decided to proceed directly to Bonham, which was about 37 nautical miles from Paris. En route, the student became disoriented and attempted to contact both Fort Worth and McAlester Flight Service Stations but was unsuccessful.
Assistance from Other Pilots
Other pilots in the area heard the student's radio calls and attempted to assist. One pilot, who believed he saw the student's airplane (though he acknowledged he might have seen a different aircraft), informed the student that Bonham was located north of his position.
Fuel Exhaustion and Forced Landing
Following the guidance, the student flew north in search of Bonham. The flight continued until the airplane exhausted its fuel supply near Boswell, Oklahoma. Subsequently, the pilot executed a forced landing in a rough and uneven field, during which the airplane sustained damage.
Aftermath
The pilot was the sole occupant of the airplane. The extent of injuries, if any, was not specified in the source. The airplane was damaged during the landing.