Piper PA 28-161 N82587 accident near Bristow, Virginia

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student’s distraction due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was conducting a solo flight and stated that, while on approach for landing, she had just reduced engine power when the tower controller asked her to extend the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern due to other traffic. She subsequently became distracted looking for the other traffic and did not increase engine power to maintain altitude. The controller then instructed her to turn onto the base leg and she complied; however, the airplane continued to descend and collided with trees before coming to rest upright on the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the student pilot report any.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA315 for the full record.