NTSB Factual Report

On June 24, 2004, at 1335 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S single-engine airplane, N810SA, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on runway 14 at Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF), near San Antonio, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Black Hound LLC, of Seguin, Texas, and was being operated by Wright Flyers Aviation, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the San Antonio International Airport (SAT), near San Antonio, Texas, approximately 1230.

The 76-hour student pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he departed SAT, flew to SSF, and completed 2 stop-and-go's on runway 14 (a 4,128 feet long and 100 feet wide asphalt runway). The student pilot took off a third time, in a left hand traffic pattern and lined up for a short-field landing, aiming for the "second stripe" of runway 14.

As the pilot retracted the flaps after touching down, he "lost control of the airplane to the right" and applied light brakes, stating that he "didn't want to make any other movement to the rudder" because he was already in the grass to the right of the runway. The airplane impacted a taxiway sign and spun around. After the airplane came to a complete stop, the student pilot shut-down the engine and exited the airplane.

Examination of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, and damage to the right main landing gear attach point.

At the time of the accident, the winds were reported as variable, at 3 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing.