Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while attempting to turn the airplane onto a taxiway after landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, he was on a solo flight practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On the third approach, as he turned the airplane onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, the tower air traffic controller requested that the pilot complete a full stop landing due to an increased number of aircraft in the airport area. The touchdown and roll out were normal. The pilot subsequently attempted to turn off of the runway onto a taxiway with the airplane traveling too fast. He applied the brakes, yet the airplane proceeded off the side of the taxiway and impacted a pole, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. During a postaccident examination of the wreckage, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no anomalies with the airplane that may have contributed to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA132 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 29, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Albert Whitten Airport (SPG)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N6013J
- 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.