Cessna 172 N1451U accident near Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control upon landing which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer.

NTSB analysis

The solo student pilot reported that during the second solo landing of the day she experienced a slight balloon, and once the airplane settled on the runway it was in a “partial crab to the right.” Upon touching down, she over corrected to the left and the airplane departed the runway surface into the grass. While in the grass the airplane struck a runway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and the left horizontal stabilizer. The solo 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 ERA23LA375 for the full record.