Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to control the airplane's speed and direction during the approach, which resulted in landing long, a runway excursion, and impact with a windsock.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, during a solo cross-country flight, she landed with a crosswind from the right without flaps. During landing, the airplane's airspeed was fast, so she aborted the landing. However, her airplane was "very close" to another airplane in front of her and that pilot had also aborted their landing. She decided to continue the landing but landed long. She then tried to exit the runway at the last available intersection, but the airplane ran off the left side of the runway, and the left wing impacted a windsock.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA122 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 19, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Miami, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Miami Executive (TMB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N734AY
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.