Originally Posted by
Styx75
What I find odd was that the solo flight wasn't being directly supervised by the authorising instructor from the ground. Supervising solos allows an instructor to jump in with a timely bit of help when the situation calls for it. Or more negatively to give a first person response for any incident reports. Or just some general feedback to the student (a pat of the back or a shake of the hand builds a student's confidence).
Do we know that however? They could have been on the ramp watching, without a portable scanner in hand. It will prove important to the investigation if the instructor was on the ramp watching, who then noted the downfall, as the GA ramp area has a direct view around the downwind/base leg.
Whilst I don’t know any that would head back inside during a first solo with eyes away, you certainly wouldn’t do it for a 15/16 year old. They are a child and you have a duty of care whilst they are in your hands.