No fatalities

12 Nov 2011: CESSNA 172S — WESTWIND AVIATION INC — Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a touch-and-go landing, a student pilot's aircraft veered left despite control inputs, exited the runway, struck a ditch, and nosed over, causing structural damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.

Incident Overview

A student pilot was conducting a touch-and-go landing when the aircraft began to veer to the left after applying power for takeoff. Despite the student pilot's control inputs, the aircraft continued to veer left and subsequently exited the runway surface.

Sequence of Events

After departing the runway, the aircraft struck a ditch and nosed over. The impact resulted in structural damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft Damage

The accident caused structural damage specifically to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. No other damage details were provided.

Pilot Report

The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, stated that the aircraft experienced no mechanical issues prior to the event. The pilot's control inputs were unable to correct the leftward veer.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedStudent pilot