Flight Plan and Departure
The student pilot departed Lufkin, Texas on an instructional solo cross-country flight to Tyler, Texas. During the flight, she encountered heavy haze and surrounding storms that limited visibility, causing her to become disoriented.
Diversion to Houston County Airport
After approximately one hour and thirty minutes of flight, the student located an airport and landed. She learned she was at the Houston County Airport in Crockett, Texas. No fuel service was available at that airport.
Return Flight and Further Disorientation
Without checking the weather, the student planned a return course and heading to Lufkin. After departing, she deviated from her planned course due to weather conditions. She did not calculate new headings or plot the deviation, and consequently became disoriented again.
Precautionary Landing and Outcome
Due to a low fuel situation, the student made a precautionary landing in a grass field near Zavalla, Texas. During the landing, the nose gear contacted abrupt terrain, and the airplane came to rest inverted.