Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, during landing, he added "too much left rudder and/or brake," and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and struck a taxiway sign.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The student 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 GAA18CA121 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 5, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Metter, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Metter Muni (MHP)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N8475W
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1965
- 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.