C172 flight instructor and solo flying student reported the student had a runway excursion during a gusty crosswind condition landing.
Synopsis
C172 flight instructor and solo flying student reported the student had a runway excursion during a gusty crosswind condition landing.
Narrative
I am the flight instructor for a student pilot that was coming back to land from the practice area and doing some solo time building. My student was the sole occupant of the aircraft in this incident. When the student pilot returned to land the winds had picked up considerably (beyond instruction for wind correction at his stage in training with double digit gusts). The student is highly capable of landing an airplane but under the current conditions that day and relative experience was pushed off centerline landed and then struck the dirt with his tire before returning to the runway and then taxiway and back to the tie-downs. 'Evasive' action above is meant to mean that the student returned to the runway immediately after rolling the tire into the dirt. Once the plane was tied-down and secure precautions were taken to inspect the airplane and make sure no damage had been done and none was found. We had no indication of any kind from the tower that an 'emergency' had been declared nor did we know to declare any emergency at that time.In the time since the incident occurred the student and I have discussed in depth the concepts of crosswind landings and the different types of landing conditions; power settings; flap settings; and the such to further exhaust the situation. The student and I are committed to 100% safety and a non-recurrence of the situation. The owner/operator of the aircraft the student was flying was also notified of the situation thereafter and the plane was subsequently inspected by maintenance personnel. Furthermore; going further even more precautions will be taken on my part to insure that students do not solo in the mid afternoon times in the summer when increasing winds are possible. More in-depth crosswind discussions and trainings will also occur.
Second reporter narrative
I am a student pilot. This would be my second solo flight. I have had minimum training in crosswind landings. I set out for my second solo flight. My instructor was standing by at the school; listening to the radio and watching on flight tracking app.The flight was going well and lasted 1.6 hours. I began to feel the wind picking up; so decided to turn back and land. On approach; I came in as I always do; pulling the throttle out as I flew over the numbers. However; I was lined up further to the right to give a little extra room in case I got pushed over. As I got closer to the ground; a gust of wind abruptly pushed me over to the left just as my wheels touchdown. The winds seemed to be getting worse; and I decided to keep it on the ground; and the left Main wheel went into the dirt. I quickly turn the aircraft to the right to get back entirely onto the runway. No runway lights were involved or touched; and the aircraft was not affected in any way. After the incident; I got with my instructor to discuss what had happened. Since then; I have worked with my instructor for several hours in instruction; and I have spent several hours learning and training on how to land in a crosswind.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.