No fatalities

13 Sep 2008: CESSNA 152 — Flying Vikings — Columbia, CA

Columbia, CA, United States

On 13 Sep 2008, a CESSNA 152 operated by Flying Vikings was involved in an aviation accident near Columbia, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper use of the throttle control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a solo cross-country flight, a student pilot forgot to reduce engine power after touchdown, lost directional control, and the airplane departed the runway, impacting a boulder barrier.

Accident Summary

A student pilot on a solo cross-country flight experienced a loss of directional control during the landing roll at the planned destination. The event occurred after the pilot failed to reduce engine power following touchdown, which led to the airplane departing the runway and striking a wall of boulders erected as a barrier.

Sequence of Events

The student pilot was conducting the approach to the destination airport. During the landing flare, the pilot applied engine power to moderate the rate of descent. The touchdown was smooth and successful, but the pilot then neglected to reduce the engine power from the higher setting. As the airplane continued to roll with significantly more than idle power, the pilot attempted to slow the aircraft. During this effort, the pilot lost directional control. The airplane left the runway surface and subsequently impacted a boulder barrier that had been constructed as a physical barrier.

The investigation did not provide specific details regarding the aircraft type, registration, date, or operator. No further information on injuries or damage was released.

Contributing factors

Causes

Student pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Incorrect use/operation