Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot in command to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. Factors were the pilot disregarding the tailwind, and rough and uneven terrain off the side of the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot was conducting a practice soft field touch and go landing on a grass strip. The landing was from west to east with the wind from the northwest at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. During landing, the aircraft encountered a gust and went off the side of the runway onto rough terrain and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 17, 1993, at 0720 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 152, N25379, was substantially damaged during landing at a private airstrip near Carr, Colorado. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. According to the student pilot, he was attempting a soft field landing to the east on the grass airstrip when a wind gust caused the airplane to drift to the right side of the runway. The airplane touched down and nosed over in rough terrain. The student pilot said the wind was from the northwest at 10 knots with gusts from 15 to 20 knots. -