NTSB Factual Report

On January 22, 2008, at 1330 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N738UE, nosed over following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 34 (4,001 feet by 100 feet, compacted snow), at the South St. Paul Municipal Airport - Flemming Field (SGS), South St. Paul, Minnesota. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 solo cross-country flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The last departure point was the Albert Lea Municipal Airport (AEL), Albert Lea, Minnesota, at 1230.

The airplane reportedly touched down on the runway centerline then gradually veered toward the right side of the runway. The airplane nosed over after contacting a hard packed snow pile at the edge of the runway. The local winds reported 5 minutes after the accident were from 260 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 18 knots. The nose over resulted in substantial damage to the left wing spar and ribs.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident were the snow-covered runway and the gusty wind conditions.