Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The student was conducting a solo flight in the airport traffic pattern. While performing the preflight planning, the student pilot reported the wind was from 260° at 7 knots, which was within her solo limit for the flight. During landing, a gust of wind lifted the right wing and pushed the airplane to the left of the runway. The student pilot attempted to straighten the wings and correct back to the runway; however, the left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane exited the runway. The left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage.
At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 24, with wind from 300° at 7 knots gusting to 16 knots.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA169 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 22, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Carlsbad, California
- Nearest airport
- Mc Clellan-Palomar (CRQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N733WT
- 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.