Accident Details
A student pilot, who had accumulated approximately 46 hours of flight time, was on a solo flight intended to last 1.5 hours to practice landings at a nearby airport. According to a review of available radar data, the airplane departed on an easterly heading and climbed to an altitude of 3,200 feet mean sea level (msl). The airplane then established a varying ground speed of 84 to 94 knots. Radar data indicated that, following two 180-degree turns, the airplane was at 3,300 feet msl, heading 089 degrees, with a ground speed of 49 knots. After 2 minutes and 51 seconds, the altitude began to decrease. Radar contact was lost at an altitude of 1,600 feet msl.
Witness Account
A witness observed the airplane descending straight down with no rotation. The witness watched the airplane until it went out of view behind some trees. The witness could see the bottom of the airplane's wings and fuselage and initially thought it was a model airplane until he saw black smoke rising from behind the trees.
Investigation
An examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted on the top of a levee. The engine was found embedded 4.5 feet in the ground within the initial impact crater. No anomalies were found with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation.