Event GAA16CA349

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that during the landing roll of his first solo flight, a gust of wind lifted the left wing of the airplane. He further reported that he attempted to correct with left rudder but the left wing impact the ground. The airplane continued off the runway to the right, impacted an airport marker, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 10 minutes before the accident the wind was 080 degrees true at 3 knots. A further review revealed that, about 10 minutes after the accident the wind was 150 degrees true at 3 knots. The airplane landed on runway 08. The student pilot reported that during the landing roll of his first solo flight, a gust of wind lifted the left wing of the airplane. He further reported that he attempted to correct with left rudder but the left wing impact the ground. The airplane continued off the runway to the right, impacted an airport marker, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 10 minutes before the accident the wind was 080 degrees true at 3 knots. A further review revealed that, about 10 minutes after the accident the wind was 150 degrees true at 3 knots. The airplane landed on runway 08. 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).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Variable wind-Effect on equipment
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Variable wind-Ability to respond/compensate