No fatalities

Student Pilot's Solo Flight Ends with Runway Excursion and Nose-Over (N5181R)

New Braunfels, TX, US

On December 17, 2001, a Cessna 172 (registration N5181R) was involved in an aviation accident near New Braunfels, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the soft terrain. 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 on his second supervised solo flight experienced a directional control issue after landing, causing the airplane to veer off runway 36, cross a taxiway, and nose over in soft terrain.

Event Overview

A student pilot, who had accumulated 30 hours of flight time, was conducting his second supervised solo flight. The pilot reported that he set up for a normal approach to runway 36 and touched down within the first 1,000 feet of the runway.

Sequence of Events

Immediately after landing, the airplane deviated to the right by 15 to 20 degrees. The aircraft then exited the right side of the runway, crossed a taxiway, and continued onto soft terrain. The impact with the soft ground caused the airplane to nose over, and it came to rest inverted.

Environmental Conditions

The wind at the time of the accident was reported as 350 degrees at 7 knots. No other weather information was provided in the source.

Additional Details

The source did not specify the aircraft type, registration number, number of engines, operator, location, date, time of day, or the number of occupants. There is no mention of injuries, fatalities, or damage to the aircraft beyond the description of the final resting position. No determination of probable cause was stated in the source.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Dec 2001 Cessna 172 accident near New Braunfels, TX?

A student pilot on his second supervised solo flight experienced a directional control issue after landing, causing the airplane to veer off runway 36, cross a taxiway, and nose over in soft terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Dec 2001 Cessna 172 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Dec 2001 involved a Cessna 172, registration N5181R, at New Braunfels, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the soft terrain.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20011227X02452. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.