On August 11, 1990, a Cessna 172P (registration N9551L) operated by King Aviation Center, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Coalinga, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's misinterpretation of the wind sock indications. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot landed downwind on Runway 19 at an airport, touching down on the first third of the 4,100-foot runway, then traveling the full length and skidding off into a ditch. The pilot stated he misinterpreted the wind sock indications.
Incident Overview
According to ground witnesses at the airport, the aircraft landed downwind on Runway 19. The aircraft touched down on the first third of the 4,100-foot long runway, then traveled the full length of the pavement. It subsequently skidded off the departure end and into a ditch. Heavy skid marks were reported on the last several hundred feet of the pavement.
Pilot Statement
The student pilot stated that he misinterpreted the wind sock indications, leading to the downwind landing and subsequent runway excursion.
Conclusion
The incident involved a student pilot who landed in the wrong direction relative to the wind, resulting in a runway overrun and skid marks before coming to rest in a ditch.
Probable cause
The student pilot's misinterpretation of the wind sock indications.