Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while attempting to go around, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard on the left side of the runway. He added right rudder, but the airplane did not respond quickly enough, so he added power to perform a go-around. The airplane then exited the runway to the left, impacted a ditch, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The student added that, after the accident, his instructor told him he could have used the right brake to aid in directional control.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
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 GAA19CA508 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 22, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hemet, California
- Nearest airport
- Hemet-Ryan (HMT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N16435
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1973
- 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.