Sequence of Events
A solo student pilot was conducting a traffic pattern to land when he encountered an issue with the flap system: the flaps would not lower. He moved the flap lever up and down several times in an attempt to troubleshoot the problem. Upon reaching the base leg, he realized that his airspeed was higher than normal.
On final approach, he successfully extended the flaps to 30°, but he perceived that he was too high and too fast. To correct, he reduced engine power. As the airplane crossed the threshold, a crosswind caused the aircraft to drift to the left. The pilot then reduced power to idle and pushed the nose down "too quickly," according to his account.
The airplane began to porpoise. The student attempted to pitch the nose up to decrease airspeed, but then became concerned that the airplane would aerodynamically stall, so he pitched the nose down again. The airplane subsequently landed hard in the grass to the left of the runway. The nose dug into the ground, and the airplane came to rest inverted.
Damage and Operational Status
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, approximately six minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 11 knots. The student was landing on runway 15, which would result in a crosswind component from the left.
Pilot Reflection
The student pilot stated that he should have added full power and executed a go-around. He added that he felt pressured to land the airplane in order to "get out of everyone's way."