Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborded crosswind landing.
NTSB analysis
While conducting a solo flight in the airport traffic pattern the student pilot approached the runway, and during the landing, a crosswind pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot applied engine power to abort the landing, but the airplane rolled to the left and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest in the grass next to the runway and the fuselage, engine mount, and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA112 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 9, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rock Hill, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Rock Hill/York County/Bryant F (UZA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N84048
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1969
- 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.