Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX06CA136

Wickenburg, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N84034

Cessna 172

Analysis

The airplane veered off the runway during the landing roll. The student pilot decided to perform touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings after arriving at his destination airport. On the third landing he reached over to raise the flap lever to the "up" position and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with a gate. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The airport was equipped with a windsock; the pilot estimated that the winds were variable at 5 knots with slight gusts.

Factual Information

The airplane veered off the runway during the landing roll. The student pilot decided to perform touch-and-go practice takeoff and landings after arriving at his destination airport. On the third landing the main landing gear touched down first with the nose landing gear following shortly thereafter. As he reached his hand over to raise the flap lever to the "up" position, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with a gate. The airplane incurred damage to the right strut. The pilot initially suspected a disconnect of the rudder cables. A mechanic inspected the entire rudder control system and noted no anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. In a later statement, the pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The sole wind information provided at the airport was via a windsock. The pilot estimated that the winds were variable at 5 knots with slight gusts.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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