Student Pilot Veers Off Runway at Byron Airport

Incident Overview

A student pilot was conducting touch-and-go landing practice at Byron Airport when the accident occurred. The pilot was on his third approach to runway 5 with 30 degrees of wing flaps extended. The wind was nearly calm, and the approach was normal. The airplane touched down at near its stall speed without incident.

Loss of Control

After the soft touchdown, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The student pilot attempted to redirect the aircraft back toward the runway but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently impacted a taxiway directional sign.

Damage and Examination

The left wing's lift strut was bent as a result of the impact. The student pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. A subsequent examination of the airplane by the flight school's operator revealed that the brakes functioned normally following the accident, according to a Federal Aviation Administration coordinator.