Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of aircraft directional control during the landing roll. A factor was the wet grass landing surface.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was on a solo flight practicing landing on a grass strip. The grass was wet with dew. During the landing roll the student attempted to slow down by applying the brakes. Directional control was lost and the airplane skidded into a hangar.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 14, 1994, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N1367U, was substantially damaged during landing near Oil Trough, Arkansas. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the supervised solo flight. According to the pilot, he was landing on a grass strip and made his approach "a little too high and a little too fast." He did not realize the grass was wet with dew. During the landing roll he attempted to slow down by applying the brakes. Directional control was lost and the airplane slid sideways coming to rest up against a hangar. The left wing spar and an engine mount sustained substantial damage. -