NTSB Factual Report

On February 22, 2002, at 1254 Pacific standard time, a Beech 77, N38026, collided with a fence after veering off runway 25L while landing at the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California. The airplane was operated by Hart Aviation, Long Beach. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the solo instructional flight. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Long Beach about 1245.

The student's certified flight instructor (CFI) reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had authorized his student to practice touch-and-go landings in the traffic pattern. The accident occurred during the student's second solo flight in the airplane.

The student reported that, during the accident flight, he had performed a normal landing on runway 25L. The airplane touched down on the runway's centerline with the wing flaps fully extended. The student planned to perform a touch-and-go, so during rollout he retracted the flaps. As the flaps were retracting, he noticed that the airplane was veering left of course. The student indicated that he attempted to maintain directional control by applying right rudder pressure, but the airplane continued veering left of course. The airplane exited the side of the runway, rolled over a grassy area, and impacted a fence.

At 1256, the local wind at the airport was reported coming from 200 degrees. Its speed was 6 knots. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," he indicated that during the mishap he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of directional control due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition.