NTSB Factual Report

On January 7, 2002, about 1442 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N25441, registered to Slow flight Inc., operated by Palm Beach Flight Training School under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 as an instructional flight collided with the ground while attempting a landing at a closed airport in Clewiston, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Lantana, Florida, at about 1345.

The student pilot stated she was on a solo cross country flight to Air Glades Airport located in Clewiston, Florida. She encountered some bad weather consisting of turbulence and thought she was landing at Air Glades Airport, but in fact made an approach to a closed airport. While on landing to runway 32, she encountered a crosswind condition but did not apply a crosswind correction. She experienced an in-flight loss of directional control resulting in the airplane going to the left of the runway and colliding with the ground in a nose down attitude. When asked how much experience she had in crosswind landings, she stated she had no experience and had not been trained. When asked if she experienced any type of mechanical failure or malfunction she stated no.

Clewiston Police Department responded to the closed Clewiston Airport which is marked with yellow X's on the runway. A coast Guard helicopter landed and the crew chief went over and shut down the transponder and fuel line. The pilot was transported to a local hospital.

Examination of the crash scene by the FAA revealed the airplane went off the left side of the runway striking several fence posts and came to rest on the ground on its nose.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind, and failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was a crosswind.