FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Student Pilot Field Landing Results in Airframe Damage (N93550)

Elberton, GA, US

On October 31, 2001, a Cessna 152 (registration N93550) was involved in an aviation accident near Elberton, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's in-flight decision to land in a field, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a berm. Factors were the student's inadequate training and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor on the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot on a solo cross-country flight landed in a field after losing orientation. The aircraft struck a berm during rollout, causing structural damage. The pilot had limited flight experience and lacked navigation skills.

Incident Overview and Pilot Background A student pilot conducting a solo cross-country flight was unable to locate the intended airport and elected to land in a field to consult a VFR sectional chart. The pilot's logbook indicated a total of 46 flight hours, with only 0.4 hours of pilot-in-command time. The student had not performed local solo practice and was unfamiliar with using the aircraft's navigational and communication equipment to determine position when lost. ## Accident Sequence and Damage During the landing roll in the field, the aircraft struck a berm. Post-accident examination revealed that the nose gear had separated from the airframe. The left wingtip sustained compression damage, and wrinkling was observed near the rear root assembly above the left wing flap. Additionally, the rear left wing spar was damaged. ## Mechanical Findings Fuel was present in both wing tanks. There was no evidence of mechanical defects, and the student pilot did not report any pre-accident mechanical issues.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 Oct 2001 Cessna 152 accident near Elberton, GA?

A student pilot on a solo cross-country flight landed in a field after losing orientation. The aircraft struck a berm during rollout, causing structural damage. The pilot had limited flight experience and lacked navigation skills.

Were there any fatalities in the 31 Oct 2001 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 Oct 2001 involved a Cessna 152, registration N93550, at Elberton, GA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's in-flight decision to land in a field, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a berm. Factors were the student's inadequate training and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor on the ground.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20011116X02250. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.