Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 211; Flight Crew Total 483; Flight Crew Type 131
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft; Human Factors
We took off then proceeded to complete 4 laps in the pattern after which I deemed he was ready to do his first solo. I endorsed him and he proceeded to begin his first solo. Coming in for his first landing everything was looking great; he was lined up on center line; flying at his final approach speed; he floated down the runway a little but his touchdown looked smooth. The plane then proceeded to veer off to the left at which time the student said he was applying correction but the plane was giving no response and continued into the grass in between the taxiway and the runway where the aircraft ran into a ditch. I immediately got over to the student as quick as I could to make sure that he was okay. He had a busted lip but that was all I could tell he then was taken in an ambulance then released one hour later.
I attempted to complete my first solo flight in a Cessna 172. In preparation; my instructor and I completed four takeoffs and landings with no issues. Once this was complete; I dropped him off and continued on to complete the solo flight. I completed all checklists and ensured everything was correct. Everything appeared to be perfect after takeoff to turning final. After touching down on the runway; I noticed the plane started to veer off to the left. I attempted to correct for this by adding right rudder and left aileron to combat the turning. After this failed; I was already in the grass. I tried to tap the brakes but once I did I was already in the ditch and everything came flying forward. After that; I remember being a little disoriented and coming to my senses and got out of the aircraft and started walking towards the runway. I was met by airport EMS and was transported to the hospital to be checked out. I sustained only minor facial and hand abrasions with some small swelling in the lips.
Student pilot on Solo flight in C172 departed runway after landing.