Incident
A student pilot, on his first solo flight after completing a one-hour training session with his instructor, attempted a landing. The pilot reported that he caused the aircraft to veer approximately 20 degrees to the left, departing the runway surface. The aircraft struck a snowbank and continued into a ditch that ran parallel to the runway. The nose wheel entered the ditch, and the aircraft nosed over, coming to rest inverted.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The student pilot had accumulated a total of 18 hours of flight experience at the time of the event. He stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the aircraft. The flight departed from the airport where the accident occurred.
Post-Accident Actions
During the autumn months prior to the accident, the state's Agency of Transportation had identified the airport for a re-grading project aimed at eliminating the ditch. The project was completed seven months after the accident, removing the ditch hazard.