NTSB Factual Report

On January 4, 2005, about 1315 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172SP, N365SP registered to London Ashley, Inc. and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, veered off the runway while landing at the Clewiston Airglades Airport, Clewiston, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The private-rated pilot-in-command and commercial-rated flight instructor received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Pompano Beach, Florida, the same day, about 1230.

According to the pilot, he had asked the flight instructor to accompany him for a pleasure flight. The pilot had not flown for a couple of weeks and the instructor had trained the pilot in preparation for his private pilot rating. The private pilot was the pilot flying the approach to land on runway 13 and reported that the wind was from 040 at about 13 to 15 knots. While on short final the aircraft yawed to the left due to a strong crosswind and the pilot said he was unable to make the corrections needed to land straight. As the aircraft was rolling down the runway, the left main gear departed the runway surface and the flight instructor took control of the aircraft and added full power. The aircraft lifted off slightly, turned abruptly to the right, departed the runway at a 45-degree angle, struck a runway distance marker, and settled once again on its landing gear prior to hitting a ditch.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding into an airport sign.