Pilot Debrief

Cessna 152 near Paris, TX — 2019-07-06

Final reportGAA19CA389
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Date
2019-07-06
Location
Paris, TX, USA
Airport
PRX
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Registration
N757YK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff with a crosswind, which resulted in impact with a hay bale left of the runway, and his improper decision to perform a soft-field takeoff without adequate practice.

NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, while practicing a soft-field takeoff, he applied full power and pitched the airplane's nose "above the horizon." The airplane became airborne, the wind pushed the airplane to the left, and the airplane struck a hay bale on the left side of the runway. The student turned the airplane toward the runway and landed on the remaining runway without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The chief flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 34 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 240° at 4 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 26 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 240° at 9 knots. The student was departing from runway 17. The chief flight instructor reported that the student's flight instructor told him not to practice soft-field takeoffs during a solo flight. The instructor stated that the student required more practice on the takeoff technique.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
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Docket documents2

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