Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that she was returning from a solo cross-country flight. During the landing roll, as she released back pressure on the flight controls, she stated that it felt like the right wheel “caught” and the airplane veered to the right. The student pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder; however, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC26LA008 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 13, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Palmer, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Palmer Municipal Airport (PAQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Cessna 172M
- N-number
- N20305
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1972
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.