Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with approach lights.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that, during landing with a crosswind, the airplane veered left. He then applied the brakes, but the airplane continued to veer left. The airplane exited the runway, impacted precision approach path indicator lights, and came to rest in grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 the time of the accident, the wind was from 130° at 10 knots. The student was landing the airplane on runway 06.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot reported that, during landing with a crosswind, the airplane veered left, he applied the brakes but the airplane continued to veer left. The airplane exited the runway, impacted the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights and came to rest in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot 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 the time of the accident, the wind was from 130° at 10 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 06.