Accident Summary
A student pilot, conducting her fifth solo flight, experienced a runway excursion and nose-over after a bounced landing. The accident occurred following a series of touch-and-go landings and a go-around performed earlier with a flight instructor on board.
Sequence of Events
According to the investigation, the student pilot had initially flown with a flight instructor, completing four touch-and-go landings on runway 15 and one approach followed by a go-around. The instructor reported that the wind was "straight down the runway at 7 knots." The instructor then exited the airplane to allow the student to solo in the traffic pattern. This was the student's fifth solo flight.
During her first solo touch-and-go landing, the student performed without incident. On the second approach, while on short final, she noted that her airspeed was "around 80 knots, which was too high." She attempted to slow the airplane, but due to "gusty winds on short final, [she] panicked." The student reported that the airplane was "near the runway" when it encountered a downdraft, which "caused [it] to slam onto the runway" with both main landing gear. The airplane bounced two times, during which the nose landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.
Weather Information
A weather observation facility 23 miles southeast of the accident site reported the wind from 190 degrees at 15 knots near the time of the accident.