GAA17CA335

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that, during the landing roll of a solo flight, the airplane landed to the left of the runway centerline. He added that he applied right rudder, but overcorrected and the airplane veered to the right. The student pilot reported that he "panicked" and his leg "got stuck on the right rudder". The airplane veered off the runway to the right and impacted a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that, during the landing roll of a solo flight, the airplane landed to the left of the runway centerline. He added that he applied right rudder but overcorrected and that the airplane veered to the right. The student pilot reported that he "panicked" and his leg "got stuck on the right rudder." The airplane veered off the runway to the right and impacted a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Rudder control system-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Rudder control system-Unintentional use/operation
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Contributed to outcome