Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was on his first solo flight. He reported that the airplane touched down on the runway centerline, but then quickly veered to the right. He tried to correct with left brake, however the airplane continued off the runway and collided with a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and stabilator. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA410 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 21, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Glendale, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Glendale (GEU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N424PA
- 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.