NTSB Factual Report

On January 25, 2004, about 1615 Pacific standard time, a Piper Cherokee PA-28-180C, N7922W, lost directional control on the landing roll at the Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV), Minden, Nevada. Flying Start Aero was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructional cross-country flight departed Carson Airport (CXP), Carson City (CXP), Nevada, at 1605, with a planned destination of MEV. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the student pilot reported that she was on her first solo cross-country flight. She noted that the landing sequence was normal and the winds were calm. During the landing roll, the airplane "fishtailed" over the centerline, moving from one side of the runway to the other. When she added power in an effort to abort the landing, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway.

In a written statement, the airplane operator reported that the student pilot lost directional control during the landing roll. The airplane departed runway 34 on the west side between the 3,000- and 4,000-foot marker. The airplane impacted soft dirt and damaged the nose gear, propeller, right wing tip, and two nose ribs. The student pilot had 40 hours total time, which included 157 landings. The operator did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.