CEN11CA257

Factual narrative

Following a solo cross-country flight, the student pilot lost directional control of the airplane while landing on runway 17 in gusty wind conditions. The airplane bounced, and touched back down in the grass alongside of the runway, before the left wing impacted a tree. The airplane's wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage during the accident. The closest weather reporting station was located 15 nautical miles to the southeast of the accident site. Twenty minutes before the accident, the winds were reported from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The student pilot reported the winds at the time of the accident to be from 200 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 16 knots. The student pilot further reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. The student pilot lost directional control of the airplane while landing in gusty wind conditions. The airplane bounced, and touched back down in the grass alongside of the runway, before the left wing impacted a tree. The airplane’s wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The closest weather reporting station was located 15 nautical miles to the southeast of the accident site. Twenty minutes before the accident, the reported wind was from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The student pilot further reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C