Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind condition, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that he was practicing landings, and on the last landing the control tower reported a wind gust of 14 knots. The student pilot stated that after he landed "...the airplane went back in the air and I lost control." The airplane subsequently impacted the runway surface in a nose low, left wing down attitude, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard 2 feet of the left wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for SEA08CA107 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 7, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Ryan Field (RYN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N5259B
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.