Event FTW03LA231

Factual narrative

On September 25, 2003, approximately 0915 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S single-engine airplane, N168ME, sustained substantial damage following a loss of directional control while landing during a supervised solo flight at the West Houston Airport, near Houston, Texas (IWS). The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 17-hour student pilot reported that on the third landing of the first supervised solo flight he lost control of the airplane after touching down on Runway 15. The pilot was distracted when he looked for the flap handle to retract the flaps, and the airplane veered to the left off the hard surface runway, crossed a ditch, and nosed-over. Runway 15 is 3,953 feet long, by 75 feet wide. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that there was structural damage to the engine firewall, engine mounts, and vertical stabilizer. Additionally, the windshield was broken, and the airframe buckled aft of the fuselage. The weather 12 nautical miles from West Houston Airport, at 0853, was reported as variable winds at 5 knots, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.01 inches Hg. The visibility was 5 statute miles and clear with some haze. The 17-hour student pilot attempted his third landing of his first supervised solo flight, and lost control of the airplane after touching down on runway 15. The pilot was distracted when he looked for the flap handle to retract the flaps, and the airplane veered to the left off the hard surface runway, crossed a ditch, and nosed-over. Runway 15 is 3,953 feet long, by 75 feet wide. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12