Incident Details
A student pilot was returning to the airport after practicing maneuvers in the practice area. The pilot planned a full stop landing and set up for a soft field landing on runway 19.
Sequence of Events
During the flare, approximately two to three feet above the runway, a gust of wind caught the airplane and yawed it to the right by an estimated 45 to 60 degrees. The airplane then touched down and began "skipping" as it traveled down the runway. The student pilot stated that he had not reacted to correct for the exaggerated yaw, which he believed caused the bounce.
After the first touchdown, the right wingtip contacted the runway surface. The pilot then applied "a little power for the throttle and tried to gain some altitude." Shortly after, the pilot heard the tail tie-down ring scrape the runway. The airplane continued to the right, and the left horizontal stabilizer collided with a runway marker sign. The aircraft rolled approximately 100 feet before the student was able to stop it in the dirt off the right side of the runway.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported that the gust occurred during the flare, and he did not take corrective action for the yaw. The pilot's statement indicated that the lack of correction likely led to the bounce and subsequent loss of control.