CESSNA 172S near St. Augustine, FL — 2013-11-16

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a crosswind.

NTSB narrative

During the landing roll, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and struck a runway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing strut and left horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane had been operated about 13 hours since its most recent 100-hour inspection, which was performed 3 days before the accident. The student pilot had accumulated about 45 hours of total flight experience, all in the make and model of the accident airplane, including about 38 hours during the 90 days that preceded the accident. A 6-knot crosswind existed at the time of the accident.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll

Evidence available

• Photos
• 6 docket documents

Docket documents6

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Pilot and FAA Inspector Statementsinterview
• Airport Weather Observationsother
• Student Pilot Logbook (excerpts)other
• Photograph # 1 – Damage to left wing strut and landing gearphotos
• Photograph # 2 – Damage to left horizontal stabilizerphotos

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