Accident Overview
A student pilot experienced a loss of directional control after bouncing the airplane during a landing with a quartering tailwind. The airplane veered off the side of the runway, rolled into an embankment, and nosed over.
Flight Details
The accident occurred after the student had flown for about 50 minutes. Days earlier, the student's certified flight instructor had authorized the student to practice takeoffs and landings at the airport.
Landing Sequence
During the third landing on runway 34, which is 5,000 feet long by 75 feet wide, the student had 20 degrees of wing flaps extended. The airplane initially touched down on its left main landing gear. Thereafter, the airplane bounced, and the right main landing gear contacted the runway. The student increased engine power and pulled the control yoke aft, but overall efforts to maintain control were inadequate.
Wind Conditions
From 8 minutes before to 12 minutes after the accident, wind direction and speed were reported at an airport 5 miles from the site as varying from 150 to 190 degrees and from 3 to 6 knots. No wind gusts were reported. The wind direction resulted in a prevailing quartering tailwind relative to runway 34.
Pilot Experience
The student's total solo flying experience was 13 hours.