Pilot Debrief

Piper PA28 near Cortland, NY — 2019-12-24

Final reportERA20CA110
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Date
2019-12-24
Location
Cortland, NY, USA
Airport
N03
Aircraft
Piper PA28
Registration
N7450R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a snowbank and a subsequent nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, while practicing a soft-field takeoff, the airplane entered ground effect and drifted left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift left, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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