Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that during the fifth solo landing of the day the airplane began to yaw to the left of centerline after touching down. He applied right rudder but was unable to correct the yaw and the right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the main wing spar and fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA125 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 6, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pikeville, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Wayne Exec Jetport (GWW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA20-C1
- N-number
- N116CL
- 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.