Accident Overview
A student pilot on a solo flight experienced a runway excursion while attempting to land on runway 35. During the roundout phase, prior to flare, the airplane began drifting left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct but could not maintain position, and the airplane continued onto the grassy area west of the runway, approaching bordering trees.
Pilot Actions
The pilot decided to terminate the flight by landing on the grassy area, as he felt he did not have complete control of the airplane. The airplane subsequently impacted upsloping terrain and was substantially damaged.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane's mechanical and flight control systems verified control continuity. No pre-accident malfunctions were discovered.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated approximately 38.7 total hours of flight experience at the time of the accident, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model.