Accident Details
A solo student pilot was conducting a landing when, during the landing roll, the pilot reached for the flap levers. At that moment, the airplane veered left, departed the left side of the runway, struck a snowbank, and subsequently nosed over.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer of the airplane.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 170° at 11 knots. The airplane had landed on runway 31.