According to the student pilot he was returning from a local flight and had entered the pattern with the intent to land. After turning final the pilot noticed he was right of the runway centerline and attempted a left turn to realign the airplane with the runway. During the turn the pilot was forced to correct more due to a slight crosswind. When he finally centered the airplane it was aligned with the left side of the runway, 25 feet over the runway lighting and descending. The pilot then discontinued the landing and initiated a go around maneuver; however, the airplane "dropped 12-15 feet", impacted the ground and the nose gear collapsed before coming to rest on the runway.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation.