On September 25, 2003, a Cessna 172S (registration N168ME) operated by Robert Mcillhenny was involved in an aviation accident near Houston, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, attributed to distraction while searching for the flap handle. 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.
A student pilot lost control of the aircraft after veering off runway 15 during his third landing attempt on a supervised solo flight, resulting in a nose-over accident.
What happened
During the final phase of a supervised solo flight, a student pilot with 17 hours of experience attempted to land on runway 15. This marked the third landing attempt of the session. Upon touching down, the aircraft departed the hard-surface runway, which measures 3,953 feet in length and 75 feet in width.
The incident occurred when the pilot became distracted by searching for the flap retraction handle. This lapse in attention caused the airplane to veer to the left off the paved surface. The aircraft then crossed a ditch before coming to rest in a nose-over position.
The investigation
Examination of the event focused on the pilot's actions during the landing roll. The primary finding was that the pilot's focus shifted from controlling the aircraft's direction to locating the flap controls. This distraction directly contributed to the loss of directional control and the subsequent departure from the runway environment.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, attributed to distraction while searching for the flap handle.
What happened in the 25 Sept 2003 Cessna 172S accident near Houston, TX?
A student pilot lost control of the aircraft after veering off runway 15 during his third landing attempt on a supervised solo flight, resulting in a nose-over accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 25 Sept 2003 involved a Cessna 172S, registration N168ME, operated by Robert Mcillhenny, at Houston, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, attributed to distraction while searching for the flap handle.
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