NTSB Factual Report

On April 29, 2001, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N64776, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after an in flight loss of control while landing at the Pleasanton Municipal Airport, Pleasanton, Texas. The airplane was registered to Christiansen Aviation Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware, and operated by Stinson Air Center, of San Antonio, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional solo flight. The local flight originated from the Stinson Municipal Airport, San Antonio, Texas, at 1410.

The student pilot reported that he departed from the Stinson Municipal Airport and flew to the Pleasanton Municipal Airport. According to the pilot, the Pleasanton Unicom reported wind variable at 4 knots. He flew a normal traffic pattern for runway 16, and on final approach, the airplane was at an airspeed of 65 knots and aligned with the runway centerline. Prior to landing, the pilot verified that the wind was straight down the runway by looking at the windsock. Upon touchdown, a "crosswind gust from 070 degrees began pushing [the] airplane to the right." Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway and impacted a ditch that was 15-20 feet wide and 5 feet deep. The left wing spar was damaged during the impact.

The pilot had accumulated 39.2 flight hours, all of which were in the accident make and model airplane. According to the operator, this was the student's first solo flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributory factors were the gusty wind and the student pilot's lack of total flight experience.