Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot stated that, while landing, the airplane began to veer left when its nosewheel contacted the runway. He attempted to correct with full right rudder but was unable to regain control of the airplane. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a drainage ditch, which resulted in the shearing off of the nose landing gear. An examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA167 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 7, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Idabel, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Mc Curtain County Rgnl (4O4)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172L
- N-number
- N7974G
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.