No fatalities

Student Pilot's Approach and Landing Difficulties Result in Runway Excursion

Vero Beach, FL, United States

On March 2, 2018, a PIPER PA28 161 operated by FLIGHT SAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC was involved in an aviation accident near Vero Beach, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in overcorrection with the rudder during the landing, loss of control, and a runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A solo student pilot, during approach, descended below glide slope after adding full flaps, leading to a faster-than-intended speed in ground effect. The airplane yawed left; overcorrection caused a touchdown right of centerline with a 45° left nose angle. The right wing struck a runway sign after exiting the runway.

Approach and Landing Sequence

The solo student pilot reported that during approach, he was above the glide slope after adding full flaps. He lowered the nose to lose altitude, noting that he "brought a little more speed than intended" into ground effect. The airplane then yawed to the left. He overcorrected to the right. The airplane touched down to the right of the runway centerline with the nose pointed 45° to the left. The student attempted to maintain directional control, but the airplane exited the runway to the right, and the right wing struck a runway sign. The student pilot taxied back onto the runway and to the parking ramp without further incident.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

Mechanical and Weather Conditions

The Chief Flight Instructor of the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 6 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 030° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 04.

Contributing factors

Causes

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on equipmentContributed to outcome

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Mar 2018 PIPER PA28 161 accident near Vero Beach, FL?

A solo student pilot, during approach, descended below glide slope after adding full flaps, leading to a faster-than-intended speed in ground effect. The airplane yawed left; overcorrection caused a touchdown right of centerline with a 45° left nose angle. The right wing struck a runway sign after exiting the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 Mar 2018 PIPER PA28 161 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Mar 2018 involved a PIPER PA28 161, operated by FLIGHT SAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC, at Vero Beach, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in overcorrection with the rudder during the landing, loss of control, and a runway excursion.