Cessna 172M near Richfield, UT — 2008-03-11

Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the flight controls and failure to maintain directional control.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot and her certified flight instructor (CFI) flew around the traffic pattern in preparation for the student's first solo flight. After successfully completing three takeoffs and landings, the CFI exited the airplane and the student commenced her solo flight. The CFI monitored the airplane's flight and observed what he described as a normal approach and touchdown. However, during rollout the airplane veered off the side of the runway, entered soft terrain, and nosed over. The student indicated that upon losing directional control she had attempted to redirect the airplane back toward the runway initially using the ailerons and then the rudder. The student applied brakes in a effort to decelerate, but did not pull the yoke in an aft direction as the airplane entered soft terrain adjacent to the runway.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll

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