CESSNA 172N
Thermal, CA — September 30, 2014
Event Information
| Date | September 30, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR14CA399 |
| Event ID | 20141002X83037 |
| Location | Thermal, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.63000, -116.16000 |
| Airport | Jacqueline Cochran Regional Ai |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172N |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after an encounter with a dust devil.
Full Narrative
The student pilot reported that after touchdown, during the roll out, the airplane encountered a dust devil. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane subsequently departed the runway surface. The airplane pitched down in the soft sand and the right wing was substantially damaged when it struck the ground. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.