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Student Pilot Veers Off Runway During Solo Touch-and-Go Practice (N67615)

Galt, CA, US

On February 16, 1993, a Cessna 152 (registration N67615) operated by Executive Flyers, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Galt, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot on his third unsupervised solo flight veered off the runway after touchdown in a crosswind, overcorrecting with brakes and rudder before the aircraft departed pavement into soft soil, resulting in damage to the nose landing gear and firewall.

Incident Overview

A student pilot with 27 hours of flight experience was conducting his third unsupervised solo flight. The purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings at a local airport. According to the pilot's report, shortly after touchdown in a slight crosswind, the aircraft began veering to the left. The pilot responded by applying right rudder and brake inputs.

Sequence of Events

Following the pilot's corrective action, the aircraft then began veering to the right. The student stated that he overcorrected back to the left using the brakes and rudder. Despite these efforts, the pilot could not correct the drift before the aircraft departed the runway pavement. The airplane subsequently encountered soft soil adjacent to the runway, which caused the nose landing gear to bend and the firewall to buckle.

Damage Assessment

The accident resulted in structural damage to the aircraft. The nose landing gear was bent, and the firewall was buckled due to the impact with the soft soil. No other damage was reported.

Related events

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Feb 1993 Cessna 152 accident near Galt, CA?

A student pilot on his third unsupervised solo flight veered off the runway after touchdown in a crosswind, overcorrecting with brakes and rudder before the aircraft departed pavement into soft soil, resulting in damage to the nose landing gear and firewall.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Feb 1993 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Feb 1993 involved a Cessna 152, registration N67615, operated by Executive Flyers, Inc., at Galt, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11846. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.