N856CP

On August 29, 2006, at 1030 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172R, N856CP, registered to a private owner, and operated by The Flight School of Gwinnett as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight; collided with a runway sign during landing at Winder-Barrow Airport, Winder, Georgia. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The student pilot stated that he dropped off his flight instructor on the ramp prior to conducting his first solo. He then taxied to runway 31 to perform a normal takeoff. After takeoff the student pilot entered the left traffic pattern for the runway 31 visual approach. The student pilot flew the downwind, base, and final for runway 31. On landing flare the main wheels touched down, and the airplane began to veer to the left. The student pilot added full power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane. The wing flaps were still in the full down position. The airplane became airborne, continued to veer to the left, and collided with the bravo taxiway sign. The student pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident.