Probable cause
The student pilot failed to maintain directional control during the touch-and-go landing and during the subsequent aborted takeoff during crosswind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot stated that there was a mild crosswind on final approach. The crosswind "picked up" before the airplane touched down left of centerline. The pilot retracted the flaps and advanced the throttle to continue the touch-and-go. The airplane continued to drift to the left and the left main landing gear exited the runway onto the grass. The pilot closed the throttle and elected a straight path in the grass instead of risking an over-correction. The airplane came to a stop when the nose landing gear collapsed. The firewall sustained substantial damage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA450 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 31, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mesquite, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Mesquite Metro Airport (HQZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N738RQ
- 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.