Incident Overview
A student pilot, who had accumulated a total of 41 hours of flight experience including 4 hours of solo time, encountered rough air after departing from Auburn Municipal Airport. The pilot subsequently left the traffic pattern and returned approximately 15 minutes later, executing an approach to runway 16. During this approach, the pilot reported that the air had become considerably rougher. The approach was terminated with a go-around.
Second Approach and Landing
The pilot then initiated a second approach using less flap extension and a higher power setting and approach speed. Just prior to touchdown, the pilot reported that a very strong crosswind gust from the east seemed to lift the airplane upward and to the right. Perceiving that insufficient runway remained for another go-around, the pilot chose to commit to a landing. The pilot reported that the aircraft landed very hard and bounced very high, then departed the right side of the runway.
Wind Conditions
At the time of the accident, winds at an airport eight nautical miles north-northwest were reported as northerly at 13 knots. One hour later, the wind at that same airport was northerly at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. Meanwhile, at another airport ten nautical miles north, winds were westerly at 18 knots at the time of the accident, and one hour later they were north-northeasterly at 12 knots with gusts to 22 knots.