On January 7, 2002, a Cessna 152 (registration N25441) operated by Palm Beach Flight Training School was involved in an aviation accident near Clewiston, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a cross-wind landing by not applying adequate aileron correction, which resulted in the aircraft leaving the runway surface. 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.
A pilot attempting a cross-wind landing at a closed airport failed to maintain directional control due to inadequate aileron correction, resulting in the aircraft veering off the runway and striking fence posts.
What happened
The flight involved an attempt to land at an airport that was not open for public use. The pilot elected to execute a cross-wind landing configuration during this operation. During the approach and touchdown phase, the pilot failed to maintain or apply the necessary cross-wind correction using the ailerons. This lack of proper control input resulted in an in-flight loss of directional control.
As the aircraft descended, it deviated to the left side of the runway centerline. The landing gear subsequently collided with fence posts located near the airfield perimeter. The impact caused the nose of the airplane to pitch down and strike the ground hard.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a cross-wind landing by not applying adequate aileron correction, which resulted in the aircraft leaving the runway surface.