Casualties unknown

Student Pilot Overcorrects During Solo Landing Attempt (N9748D)

Fort Morgan, CO, US

On October 15, 1986, a Piper PA-22-160 (registration N9748D) was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Morgan, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent overcorrection during the landing rollout, which resulted in the aircraft leaving the runway and overturning. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot lost directional control and overcorrected while attempting a second landing, causing the aircraft to leave runway 32 and overturn.

What happened

The accident occurred during a training flight involving a student pilot who had recently received endorsement for his first supervised solo flight. The pilot successfully completed one landing prior to the incident and was in the process of attempting his second landing when control was lost.

According to the pilot's account, directional control was compromised upon touchdown. In an attempt to maintain or regain alignment with the runway centerline, the pilot overcorrected the aircraft's heading. This maneuver caused the aircraft to depart from the side of runway 32. Upon leaving the paved surface, the aircraft overturned.

The pilot estimated the wind conditions at the time of the accident to be from 290 degrees at 5 knots.

Probable cause

The student pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent overcorrection during the landing rollout, which resulted in the aircraft leaving the runway and overturning.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X34953. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.