Event ERA24LA145

Factual narrative

The student pilot was on the first leg of his initial solo cross-country flight. He was initially cleared for an approach to runway 9R at the destination airport, with a surface wind reported from 110° at 13 knots. After reporting a 7-mile final for runway 9R, tower controller directed him to land on runway 5. During landing, as the nose wheel touched down, the airplane “weathervaned” to the right. He abruptly added left rudder, which resulted in the airplane’s wheels “side drift[ing]” to the right and he lost control of the airplane. The airplane departed the runway to the right, eventually coming to rest in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The right wing and upper fuselage were substantially damaged during the runway excursion. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Following the accident, the flight school that operated the airplane reminded its students that when they are switched from a runway with a headwind to one with a crosswind, it is acceptable to decline an air traffic control request if students are uncomfortable with it. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation