Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-28-140 near Indianapolis, IN — 2012-03-20

Final reportCEN12LA195
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Date
2012-03-20
Location
Indianapolis, IN, USA
Airport
KEYE
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Registration
N8421R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot did not maintain directional control while practicing a soft-field takeoff.

NTSB narrative

During a solo flight, the student pilot completed 3 takeoffs and landings before attempting a soft-field takeoff. He stated that the airplane began to veer left as the nose gear lifted off the runway, which he attempted to correct with an application of right rudder. He noted that he was unable to regain directional control and decided to abort the takeoff; the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted a visual approach slope indicator and its associated power-supply box. The student pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, he noted that the accident could have been prevented had he maintained directional control with an increased input of right rudder in order to counteract the left-turning tendencies experienced during takeoff.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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