Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a runway overrun. Factors are the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his lack of experience.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 10, 1994, about 1715 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172K, N79136, piloted by Mr. Robert P. O'Rourke, collided with the terrain during a landing at the Dayton General Airport, South Dayton, Ohio. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.
The pilot was on his third supervised solo, and had landed. As the airplane touched down on the runway it bounced, and then departed the runway.
According to the pilot's written statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, at the time of the accident and after touchdown the airplane started, "...rolling to the side of the runway and normal right rudder pressure did not bring me back to the center, the safest thing was let the plane roll into the snow." The pilot wrote that when he first touched down:
...a gust of wind...caused the plane to leave the ground after initial touchdown and upon the second touchdown, I was not aligned with the center line...I have no doubt, I could have prevented this accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC94LA060