Incident Overview
A student pilot was conducting his first solo flight after completing three uneventful landings on a snow-covered runway with his flight instructor. Following the third landing, the instructor exited the airplane to allow the student to fly solo. The student's first solo landing resulted in the airplane sliding and coming to a stop approximately 90° to the runway heading. After taxiing back to the ramp, the student and instructor discussed the landing and agreed to continue the solo flight.
Accident Details
During the second solo landing, the airplane slid to the left upon touchdown. The student pilot was unable to regain directional control using right rudder, and the airplane slid into a snowbank beside the runway. The outboard 3 feet of the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground. The student pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions during the flight.
Post-Accident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions with the flight controls, nosewheel steering, or wheel brakes. At the time of the accident, most of the runway was covered with 1–2 inches of snow or slush.
Probable Cause
The student pilot landed the airplane on a snow/slush covered portion of the runway, resulting in loss of directional control.