Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot lost directional control during the sixth landing on his initial solo flight. He reported experiencing a shifting wind at the time of the accident. The airplane departed the runway pavement and encountered a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot commented that he might have used the wrong rudder pedal in his attempt to maintain directional control. He stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior the accident. The local wind was recorded at 6 knots or less during the 2-hour period surrounding the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA099 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 3, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wauseon, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Fulton County (USE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N737ET
- 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.