Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While on a solo flight, the student pilot was attempting to land on runway 09 when the airplane exited the left side of the runway onto a grassy median. The airplane sustained damage to the landing gear and firewall during the accident. In a statement to law enforcement officers, the pilot reported that he was landing in a crosswind which pushed the airplane to the left. He stated that he was unable to control the drift of the airplane and the left wheel entered the grass and pulled the airplane into the grass. He remarked that the damage to the airplane happened when it struck a bump in the grass near the taxiway at about 20 knots. The recorded winds at a nearby airport were 180 degrees at 8 knots about 30 minutes prior to the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
While on a solo flight, the student pilot was attempting to land on runway 09 when the airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a grassy median. The airplane sustained damage to the landing gear and firewall during the accident. In a statement to law enforcement officers the pilot reported that he was landing in a crosswind which pushed the airplane to the left. He stated that he was unable to control the drift of the airplane and the left wheel entered the grass and pulled the airplane into the grass. He remarked that the damage to the airplane happened when it struck a bump in the grass near the taxiway at about 20 knots. The recorded winds at a nearby airport were 180 degrees at 8 knots about 30 minutes prior to the accident.