Accident Overview
On September 29, 2020, at approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, registration N75634, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Spring, Texas. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot, who was flying solo at the time, sustained minor injuries.
Flight Sequence
Prior to the accident, the student pilot and his flight instructor completed three touch-and-go landings. The student then departed on a solo flight, during which he performed two uneventful full-stop landings. On the third takeoff, after reaching an altitude of 100 to 200 feet above ground level, the airplane yawed strongly to the left and banked left. The student pilot was unable to maintain control and executed a forced landing on a field.
Damage and Examination
During the forced landing, the airplane struck a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the aircraft's flight control system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.