GRANT, MI, USA
N7127X
CESSNA 150A
THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A DOWNWIND LANDING, VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A RUNWAY EDGE LIGHT, THEN A SNOWBANK AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED-OVER. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ALONG THE NORTH EDGE OF THE RUNWAY APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY 9 THRESHOLD. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD SIX HOURS TOTAL FLYING TIME AND HIS STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE HAD NOT BEEN ENDORSED FOR SOLO FLIGHT. HE WAS NOT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
On February 23, 1995, about 1015 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150A, N7127X, was substantially damaged when the solo student pilot lost directional control during the landing roll. The airplane veered off the runway, struck a runway edge light, a snowbank, and nosed-over. The accident occurred at the Grant Airport, Grant, Michigan (runway 9-27, 2530' x 120', turf). The pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight departed Sparta, Michigan, about 0920. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The student pilot reported that he was performing an intentional downwind landing on runway 9 and that following a normal approach and touchdown the aircraft veered to the left. He reported applying "hard" right rudder and right brake but could not prevent the aircraft from impacting the runway edge light and snowbank. The Unicom operator at the airport told investigators that surface wind at the time of the accident was from 250 degrees at 5 knots with gusts to 12 knots. The aircraft came to rest inverted, along the north edge of the runway approximately 1500 feet from the runway 9 threshold. The student pilot had six hours total flying time and his student pilot certificate had not been endorsed for solo flight. He was not under supervision of a flight instructor at the time of the accident.
The student pilot's decision to intentionally land downwind and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. The pilot's lack of experience and the tailwind were contributing factors.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
