Casualties unknown

Cessna 172S Runway Excursion After Landing Drift (N61WT)

Cambridge, MD, US

On September 30, 2006, a Cessna 172S (registration N61WT) operated by Frederick Flight Center was involved in an aviation accident near Cambridge, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 6 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 Cessna 172S drifted right after touchdown on runway 16, the pilot corrected left and added power, then the airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a ditch, and came to rest in a grass area.

Event Details

The pilot of a Cessna 172S was landing on runway 16, a 4,476-foot-long, 75-foot-wide asphalt runway. After touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the right. The pilot corrected the airplane to the left and added power. Subsequently, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a ditch, and came to rest in a grass area off the left side of the runway.

Pilot Information

The pilot reported total flight experience of approximately 722 hours, of which about 258 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

Weather Information

According to the automated weather observation system (AWOS), the winds were from 190 degrees at 10 knots, variable. The reported wind at an airport 12 miles north of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 170 degrees at 6 knots.

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Sept 2006 Cessna 172S accident near Cambridge, MD?

A Cessna 172S drifted right after touchdown on runway 16, the pilot corrected left and added power, then the airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a ditch, and came to rest in a grass area.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Sept 2006 involved a Cessna 172S, registration N61WT, operated by Frederick Flight Center, at Cambridge, MD.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20071212X01929. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.