The solo student pilot reported that, he simulated a power-off emergency landing with a 180º turn to the runway and trimmed the elevator "fully nose up" and added full flaps. Prior to touchdown, the airplane drifted right of centerline and he had "difficulty correcting and maintaining control" of the airplane so he initiated a go around. Subsequently, the student "retracted flaps entirely" and the airplane "fell [about 10 ft] to the ground," the nose wheel impacted the terrain and the airplane nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.

The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 6 knots. The student was landing the airplane on runway 25.