Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
During the student pilot’s first solo flight, the airplane veered left after touchdown on the runway. He attempted to correct with right rudder and left aileron; however, the airplane traveled into the grass off the left side of the runway and struck a ditch before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained damage to the right horizontal stabilizer, engine mount, and firewall. The student reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19TA166 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 30, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- New Bern, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N733UF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.