Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot was conducting a touch-and-go landing. During the subsequent takeoff roll, directional control was not maintained, and the airplane impacted a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA032 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 17, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Columbus, Mississippi
- Nearest airport
- Columbus (UBS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N26481
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1998
- 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.