Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain runway centerline and flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was landing, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the left side of the runway about 10 ft off the ground. The flight instructor took the flight controls and added full power to go around. Subsequently, the airplane bounced, the left main landing gear "caught onto something" on the ground, and the airplane spun around. The left wing struck the ground and the nose landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 290° at 6 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 25L.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA201 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 5, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Livermore, California
- Nearest airport
- Livermore Muni (LVK)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N1438U
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- 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.