Probable cause
The student pilot failed to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot, who was on his second solo flight, reported that he maintained 68 mph and was on centerline of runway 25 with a slight left crosswind correction as he flared the airplane for landing. After touchdown, the airplane started drifting to the left. He reported that he attempted to correct the drift by applying rudder; however, he applied both the brakes and rudder causing the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway. The propeller impacted the ground, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. The student pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. The recorded wind at the airport was 170 degrees at 4 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA381 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 21, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Greenfield, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Indianapolis Regional Airport (MQJ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 150D
- N-number
- N4545U
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- 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.