Probable cause
The student pilot's overcorrection with rudder during the landing and her subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion, impact with a snowbank, and a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, on her first solo flight and during a second touch-and-go landing, shortly after touchdown, the airplane "started sliding" right. She added that she overcorrected with "excessive" left rudder. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, impacted a snowbank, and nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
The student 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 GAA19CA114 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 27, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Merrill Field (MRI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA22
- N-number
- N6716B
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1956
- 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.