ATL07CA022

The student solo pilot reported he was practicing takeoffs and landings on a dry asphalt runway. On the accident landing, the airplane veered to the right, and the student stated he was unable to correct the veer. The airplane struck trees off the right side of the runway. The student pilot reported there were no pre accident mechanical problems with the airplane.

On November 25, 2006, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N172LF, registered to a private owner and operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with trees during landing at the Rockingham County Shiloh Airport in Reidsville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston Salem, North Carolina, on November 25, 2006, at 1200.

According to the student pilot, he departed Smith Reynolds Airport to complete his private pilot check ride preparation. He stated, "I was practicing takeoff/landing/pattern at [the Shiloh Airport] and had already made 3-4 landings at KSIF [also known as 78N Rockingham County Shiloh Airport]. After touchdown on the centerline of the runway, the airplane started to veer to the right of the runway. Using left rudder and brakes I tried to maintain control of the [air]plane. The airplane continued to veer off the runway to the right, went through the grass, and came to a standstill [on] the edge of the tree line."

Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector found substantial damage to both wings, the right flap, the wing struts, lower fuselage, propeller, propeller spinner, engine cowl, exhaust stack, air filter, and gear struts. There were no mechanical problems reported by the pilot or discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane.