Introduction
A student pilot and his flight instructor provided accounts of an accident that occurred during the student's first solo flight. The instructor had been working with the student that morning in preparation for the milestone. After completing dual instruction, the instructor authorized the student to perform full-stop landings solo. The instructor positioned himself at the approach end of runway 36 with a handheld radio to observe and communicate.
Sequence of Events
The student's first takeoff and landing were uneventful. During the second landing on short final, the instructor noticed the airplane appeared slightly high. The airplane assumed a flared attitude appropriate for landing but well above the runway. The instructor heard an initial partial application of power to slow the descent, followed by full power, consistent with initiating a go-around. The airplane did not climb, so the instructor radioed the student to select 20 degrees of flaps. At that point, the student initiated a left turn, barely clearing trees on the west side of the runway. The instructor observed the aircraft maintain 30–50 feet of altitude during the turn, then descend below the tree line, followed by the sound of impact.
Pilot Statements
The student pilot stated that after about an hour of practicing takeoffs and landings with the instructor, the instructor deemed him ready for solo. The proper endorsement was made in the student's logbook. During the second landing, the student felt the airplane was too high and fast. He applied full engine power and attempted a left turn with 40 degrees of flaps. He heard the instructor's radio call on the airport's Unicom frequency to select 20 degrees of flaps. The student attempted to do so but saw trees ahead. The airplane impacted the top of a tree before coming to a stop on the ground. The student reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or its systems prior to the accident.