This December 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Location: El Cajon, Calif. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings during her second solo flight. She completed three landings. On the fourth one, her approach speed was higher than normal. She landed the airplane and rolled out on the runway. The airplane was still rolling fast when she attempted to turn onto a taxiway. She could not keep the aircraft on the taxiway. The airplane went off the pavement and into a ditch, where the left wing hit the ground. The impact bent the outboard two feet of the wing as well as the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator.
Probable cause: The excessive speed while turning off of the runway, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with the ditch.
For more information: NTSB.gov
