Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, and the lack of braking action on wet grass during the precautionary landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was flying on a cross-country flight, when he encountered deteriorating weather and became disoriented. He elected to make a precautionary landing in a field. He stated that during the landing roll, he was unable to get satisfactory braking action on wet grass. Subsequently, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 17, 1995, about 1500 eastern standard time, N75938, a Cessna 172N, operated by Americus Georgia Flying Club landed in a field in Bryceville, Florida, while flying a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot received minor injuries. The flight had originated earlier that day. The student pilot was flying from Brunswick, Georgia to Waycross, Georgia on a solo cross-country flight when he encountered deteriorating weather conditions. He became disoriented while trying to maintain VFR. The pilot attempted a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll the airplane hit a barbed wire fence and nosed over. -