Primary finding
Probable cause
Student pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment, his delayed remedial action, and improper use of the flight controls. The student pilot's lack of experience was a factor in this accident.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On the sixth landing, the airplane yawed to the left. The student pilot applied corrective control inputs, but without success. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with a drainage ditch. The postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preexisting malfunctions or failures.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 22, 1995, at 1416 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73141, exited the left side of runway 22R and collided with a ditch at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. The pilot was conducting a local area solo visual flight rules instructional flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by private individuals, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Falcon Field on January 22, 1995, about 1300 hours. The student pilot reported in the aircraft accident report that he made five touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in calm winds. On the sixth landing, the airplane yawed to the left. The student pilot applied corrective control inputs, but without success. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with a 3-foot drainage ditch that parallels the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane. The inspector reported that the airplane's flight controls and brake system were operational. He did not find any preexisting airplane malfunctions or failures. -