NTSB Factual Report

On August 24, 2005 at 1320 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N21670, registered to Marv-A-Les Charters and operated by Savannah Aviation, veered off the runway and collided with a ditch during landing rollout at Savannah International Airport, Savannah, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certified flight instructor and the student pilot were not injured. The flight originated from Savannah International Airport in Savannah, Georgia on August 24, 2005 at 1300.

The flight departed runway 36 for a local flight to remain in the traffic pattern for a series of touch and goes. After making the first touch and go, the flight remained in the traffic pattern and established a normal approach to land. As the student pilot flared to land, the airplane began to drift and landed to the right of the runway centerline. An attempt to position the airplane with the centerline was made, but the airplane continued past the centerline to the left. The certified flight instructor took control of the airplane as it veered off the runway and collided with a ditch.

Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the nose and right main landing gear were bent aft and the engine firewall buckled. The airplane exhibited damage to the elevator, right wing tip, and left leading edge. Post-accident examination of the flight control surfaces revealed no mechanical failures. The flight instructor did not reported any mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The instructor's inadequate supervision and failure to maintain directional control, resulting in an on ground collision with terrain.