ATL03LA024

While attempting a full stop landing, the student pilot flared left of the runway centerline, touched down on the runway and rolled approximately 50 yards into a ravine. The student pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane prior to impact.

On December 6, 2002, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N5891E, registered to a private owner and operated by a student pilot, lost directional control during landing and nosed over into a ravine at Cartersville Airport, Cartersville, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight departed McCollum Field, Marietta, Georgia on December 6, 2002 at 1400.

According to the student pilot he was conducting full-stop landings. During the second landing the pilot flared the airplane left of the centerline. When the nose wheel touched down on runway 19 the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. In an attempt to regain control of the airplane the pilot pulled back on the control yoke, and added power. The airplane traveled approximately 50 yards off the runway, nosed over in a ravine, and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel separated from the nose strut. Both wings were buckled on the upper surface of the wing and had stringer damage. The fuselage was buckled under the cabin. Examination of the nose gear steering tube assemblies revealed continuity from the rudder peddles to the nose gear. When rudder pedal input was entered the nose gear steering tube assemblies operated properly. No mechanical or flight control problems were reported by the student pilot before the accident.

Review of the students pilot's logbook revealed .6 hours of solo hours in type of airplane, and 21 hours of total time.