Probable cause
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was on his first solo cross country flight. He reported that while landing, the airplane drifted to the left on the narrow (50 foot wide) runway. He attempted to perform a go-around, but the airplane touched down. The airplane then went to the left side of the runway where it struck plowed snow banks that were about two feet high. After striking the snow bank, the airplane nosed over.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA152 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 13, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ellsworth, Kansas
- Nearest airport
- Ellsworth Muni (9K7)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172R
- N-number
- N816KS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2000
- 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.