Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Bedford, MA — 2008-11-17

Final reportERA09CA063
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Date
2008-11-17
Location
Bedford, MA, USA
Airport
BED
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N2439Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for winds during landing.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot of the Cessna 172 departed on his first solo flight after successfully completing an instructional flight with his instructor. The pilot chose to abort his first touch-and-go landing attempt on runway 29 due to winds and returned for another attempt. The airplane touched down on the centerline, but "weather-vaned" off the left side of the runway where it struck runway lights and a taxiway sign. The pilot reported that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane. The winds reported at the accident site 18 minutes after the accident were from 250 degrees at 8 knots. Thirty six minutes after the accident, the winds reported were from 230 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 16 knots.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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