Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 3, 1997, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N94999, was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway during landing at the Brandywine Airport, West Chester, Pennsylvania. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for solo instructional flight that originated at Brandywine Airport. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In a written statement, the student pilot stated that the airplane touched down left main gear first, and a gust of wind raised the right wing. He also stated, "...I tried to let the plane settle on its own but lost control as the plane veered off to the right..." Upon exiting the runway, the airplane's nose gear and propeller assembly contacted grass boarding runway 27, and the airplane nosed over.
The Philadelphia International Airport reported the winds, at 1251, to be from 220 degrees at 11 knots. The Willow Grove Naval Air Station reported the winds, at 1255, to be from 220 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 14 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC98LA003