NTSB Factual Report

The solo student pilot reported that during the landing touchdown, the airplane encountered a crosswind and was "push[ed]" off the runway to the right into a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and engine mount.

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

During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector, the student pilot reported that the wind was about 5 to 10 knots from a westerly direction. The nearest automated weather observation station, 27 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported the wind 270° at 3 knots. The student pilot reported that the landing was on runway 1.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions.