Casualties unknown

Student Pilot Loses Directional Control During Crosswind Landing, Aircraft Strikes Tree (N95472)

Hobart, IN, US

On August 14, 1988, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N95472) operated by Niemeyer Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Hobart, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot failed to adequately compensate for the crosswind, leading to a loss of directional control after touchdown. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

During a solo instructional flight practicing crosswind operations, a student pilot failed to compensate for crosswind after touchdown, resulting in loss of directional control and collision with a pine tree.

Incident Overview

A student pilot conducting a solo instructional flight for the purpose of practicing crosswind takeoffs and landings experienced a loss of directional control shortly after touchdown. The student pilot had failed to adequately compensate for the crosswind conditions during the landing, leading to the aircraft veering off the runway.

Sequence of Events

After the aircraft touched down, the student pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The aircraft departed the right side of the runway, and the right wing struck a pine tree. The student pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft before the collision.

Contributing Factors

According to the investigation, the student pilot did not adequately compensate for the crosswind, which resulted in a loss of directional control. No other factors were cited in the source material.

Probable cause

The student pilot failed to adequately compensate for the crosswind, leading to a loss of directional control after touchdown.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26515. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.