Event WPR20CA052

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that following a normal landing, while the airplane was decelerating, he attempted to exit the runway as instructed by the tower controller. During the turn, the student pilot lost directional control of the airplane and struck a taxiway sign, causing substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported that the airplane's speed was suitable for the turn, but he had issues controlling the airplane with the rudder pedals and brakes, which resulted in a runway excursion. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The solo student pilot reported that, following a normal landing and while the airplane was decelerating, he attempted to exit the runway as instructed by the air traffic tower controller. During the turn, the student lost directional control of the airplane, and it exited the runway and struck a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The student reported that the speed was suitable for the turn but that he had issues controlling the airplane with the rudder pedals and brakes, which resulted in the runway excursion. The operator 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

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
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Effect on operation - C