On December 21, 1994, a Cessna 172 (registration N7656X) operated by Plainwell Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Allegan, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in the inability to obtain proper runway alignment. Related factors are the student pilot's lack of total flight experience and the snowbank. 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.
During a supervised solo flight, a student pilot with 18 hours total time experienced a left drift during the flare, touched down with the left main gear off the runway, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The first two landings were normal.
Flight Background
The flight began as a dual instructional session, during which a student pilot practiced touch-and-go landings under the supervision of a certified flight instructor (CFI). The CFI assessed the student's performance as satisfactory and authorized an initial supervised solo flight. The instructor then observed the subsequent landings from the ramp.
Accident Sequence
The student pilot completed the first two solo landings normally and smoothly. According to the student's report, during the flare of the third landing, the airplane began to drift to the left. The student stated that he did not apply sufficient control input to counteract the drift. As a result, the airplane touched down with the left main landing gear off the runway surface. The left wing subsequently struck a snowbank, causing the airplane to nose over.
Pilot Information
The student pilot had accumulated approximately 18 hours of total flight time at the time of the accident.
What happened in the 21 Dec 1994 Cessna 172 accident near Allegan, MI?
During a supervised solo flight, a student pilot with 18 hours total time experienced a left drift during the flare, touched down with the left main gear off the runway, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The first two landings were normal.
Were there any fatalities in the 21 Dec 1994 Cessna 172 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Dec 1994 involved a Cessna 172, registration N7656X, operated by Plainwell Aviation, at Allegan, MI.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in the inability to obtain proper runway alignment. Related factors are the student pilot's lack of total flight experience and the snowbank.
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