What happened
A student pilot was conducting a supervised solo flight in a Cessna 152 when the aircraft became involved in an in-flight collision with a remote-controlled model airplane. The incident occurred during the climb-out phase of the flight, specifically while the aircraft was climbing through an altitude of 400 feet above ground level.
The model airplane was being operated from an adjacent park area by an individual who had received approval from the Palm Beach County Parks Department to conduct such activities in that location. Despite the operational authorization for the model aircraft, the collision resulted in damage to the Cessna 152. The pilot was not injured in the incident.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this event was the physical interaction between the powered light-sport aircraft and the unpowered or remotely piloted model aircraft during a critical phase of flight. The collision occurred in an area where model airplane operations were permitted, highlighting the potential for conflict between different categories of airspace users even in approved zones.