Aviation Accident Summary FTW00LA050

SUGAR LAND, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N912JR

Cessna 172S

Analysis

The student pilot stated that he was cleared to land on runway 17. The pilot added that he trimmed the airplane for 60-62 knots and touched down on the runway. Upon landing, the airplane started to shimmy and vibrate. The pilot stated that the airplane then veered to the left. He added that he tried to control the airplane to no avail, and the airplane departed the runway, crossed a taxiway, impacted a taxiway light and a ditch, coming to rest upright.

Factual Information

On December 17, 1999, at 1254 central standard time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N912JR, was substantially damaged when it impacted a taxiway light and a ditch while landing at the Sugar Land Municipal Airport, Sugar Land, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to DJ's Unlimited, Inc., of Houston, Texas, and operated by the student pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 solo instructional flight. The local flight originated from the West Houston Airport, Houston, Texas, at 1230, and was terminating at Sugar Land Municipal Airport at the time of the accident. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the student pilot stated that he was cleared to land on runway 17. The pilot added that he trimmed the airplane for 60-62 knots and touched down on the runway. Upon landing, the airplane started a "shimmering or vibration." The pilot stated that the airplane then veered to the left. The pilot further stated that he tried to control the airplane to no avail, and the airplane departed the runway, crossed a taxiway, impacted a taxiway light and a ditch, and came to rest upright. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the horizontal stabilizer's spar was structurally damaged.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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