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Student Pilot Applies Right Brake Inadvertently During Crosswind Landing, Resulting in Runway Excursion (N6389D)

Boulder City, NV, US

On July 21, 1996, a Cessna 172 (registration N6389D) was involved in an aviation accident near Boulder City, NV. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a loss of directional control due to the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and improper remedial action. Factors in the accident were crosswinds, inadvertent brake application, and failure to use the ailerons. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot inadvertently applied the right brake while correcting for a crosswind, causing the airplane to skid off the runway and nose over in soft soil, damaging the vertical stabilizer.

Incident Overview

A student pilot was attempting to land on runway 27L in a crosswind condition. While trying to correct for a right crosswind, the pilot inadvertently applied the right brake. This action caused the airplane's wheel to lock up, and the airplane skidded off the left side of the runway.

Pilot Actions

During the landing roll, the pilot did not use the ailerons to help maintain directional control. After departing the runway surface, the airplane nosed over in soft soil, resulting in damage to the vertical stabilizer.

Weather Conditions

Winds at the airport were reported by a local fixed-base operation as 170 degrees at 5 knots.

Damage

The vertical stabilizer was damaged as a result of the nose-over in soft soil.

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Jul 1996 Cessna 172 accident near Boulder City, NV?

A student pilot inadvertently applied the right brake while correcting for a crosswind, causing the airplane to skid off the runway and nose over in soft soil, damaging the vertical stabilizer.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Jul 1996 Cessna 172 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Jul 1996 involved a Cessna 172, registration N6389D, at Boulder City, NV.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

a loss of directional control due to the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and improper remedial action. Factors in the accident were crosswinds, inadvertent brake application, and failure to use the ailerons.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06295. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.