NTSB Factual Report

On September 22, 2006, about 1320 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N320CP, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a runway excursion and collision with a ditch while landing on runway 14 at Naples Municipal Airport, Naples, Florida. The airplane is owned by CP, LLC, of Naples, and was being operated by London Helicopters, Inc, as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight.

In a written statement the student pilot reported that he had completed a practice landing and was applying power in preparation for another takeoff when the aircraft encountered a "wind gust" from the right. The pilot reported that he applied corrective actions, rudder and aileron, however, the airplane veered off the runway and collided with a ditch.

At the time of the accident the pilot's total flight time was 19.7 hours. The pilot's first solo flight was on September 21, 2006.

The 1323 METAR observation at Naples was, in part, wind from 140 degrees at 8 knots, visibility unrestricted at 10 statute miles, temperature 33 degrees C, dew point 23 degrees C, altimeter 30.04 inches of Hg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the landing roll. A drainage ditch and wind were contributing factors.