Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA19CA172

Oskaloosa, IA, USA

Aircraft #1

N334SL

Cessna 172

Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, during the landing roll, while he was reaching for the flap levers, the airplane veered left, exited the runway, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 170° at 11 knots. The student landed the airplane on runway 31.

Factual Information

The solo student pilot reported that during the landing roll, while reaching for the flap levers, the airplane veered left, exited the runway to the left, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 170° at 11 knots. The airplane landed on runway 31.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion, impact with a snowbank, and a nose-over.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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