Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was completing a solo cross-country flight. During landing approach at the destination airport, the student pilot applied right aileron and left rudder to compensate for the wind. While over the grass runway threshold the airplane encountered turbulence and the student pilot added engine power. The turbulence subsided and the touchdown was soft and flat. As the nosewheel touched down, the airplane swerved to the left and the student pilot overcorrected to the right. The airplane veered to the right where the nosewheel and left wing impacted a snow bank. Examination of the airplane revealed that both wings were buckled. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane. The student pilot reported the wind was from 270 degrees at 8 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA131 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 19, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bolingbrook, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Clow International Airport (1C5)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N5437M
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.