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Student Pilot Veers Off Runway During Landing at Unspecified Airport (N5338E)

Kutztown, PA, US

On September 28, 1997, a Cessna 172 (registration N5338E) was involved in an aviation accident near Kutztown, PA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. 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 landed on runway 28 after being advised that runway 10 was in use. During the landing roll, the airplane veered right, departed the runway, and entered a cornfield. The pilot had 84 hours of flight experience.

Overview

The incident occurred when a student pilot, conducting a solo flight, radioed his intention to land on runway 35 via the UNICOM frequency. Another pilot advised that runway 10 was in use. Subsequently, the student landed on runway 28.

Details

During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, departed the right side of the runway, and traveled into an adjacent cornfield. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The accident site was not specified.

Pilot Experience

The student pilot reported a total of 84 hours of flight experience, all of which were in the same make and model as the accident aircraft. Of those, 20.5 hours were solo time.

Weather Conditions

At an airport located approximately 11 miles southwest of the accident site, the wind was recorded as from 100 degrees at 10 knots.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Sept 1997 Cessna 172 accident near Kutztown, PA?

A student pilot landed on runway 28 after being advised that runway 10 was in use. During the landing roll, the airplane veered right, departed the runway, and entered a cornfield. The pilot had 84 hours of flight experience.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Sept 1997 Cessna 172 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Sept 1997 involved a Cessna 172, registration N5338E, at Kutztown, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's pilot's selection of the wrong runway, the resultant tailwind, and the encounter with a cornfield beside the runway.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08918. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.