Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 4650; Flight Crew Type 670
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Weather
My student (Private Pilot candidate) was on a solo flight to do practice landings. Both METAR and TAF for ZZZ; and METAR for Destination Airport showed ceiling and visibility well above minimums specified in Solo Endorsement. No rain or freezing precipitation was forecast. According to the student: Shortly after departure; freezing rain began at approximately 2500 MSL; partially obscuring forward vision. Student requested ZZZ tower for vectors to return for landing. Vectors were given and clearance to land issued. Student attempted to land twice without success; due to loss of visual contact with the runway. On the third attempt; student landed successfully with no damage or injuries. After learning of the occurrence; the student and I reviewed the events to try to figure out how to avoid similar events in the future. I initiated additional weather and preflight training with the student; which was well received. I was informed that during the three landing attempts; a pilot deviation may have occurred. I am immediately filing report after learning that a pilot deviation may have occurred.
Flight Instructor reported that his student flying a C172 solo encountered freezing rain weather shortly after takeoff.