Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, during a solo flight in the traffic pattern, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left during the landing roll. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with a drainage culvert located about 100 ft east of the runway. The airplane's ground speed at the time of the collision was about 15 mph.
The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar.
The METAR for the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 150° at 3 knots, and the skies were clear. No gusts were reported.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA485 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sallisaw, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Sallisaw Muni (JSV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N707TM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.