Probable cause
The student pilots failure to maintain directional control after landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot stated that he was conducting his second solo flight, performing full stop landings and taxiing back. After his third landing, he applied both brakes to slow the airplane. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. The student pilot later stated that the brakes did not work properly. Postaccident examination of the brake system by an airframe and power plant (A&P) mechanic with oversight from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the brake system to be fully functional. All components of the brake system were within operational limits, and there was no evidence of any malfunction or failure prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA522 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 15, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Merritt Island, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Merritt Island Airport (COI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N93772
- 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.