Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off in gusting winds.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that he rotated about 60 knots to a nose-up attitude during takeoff. He said that the left wing raised “abruptly” due to a wind gust and that he overcorrected with left aileron and “set the plane back down on the runway.” The airplane was then heading for the edge of the runway and the pilot reduced the airplane throttle. The airplane exited the runway, including its safety area, and nosed over in a plowed field. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot reported that he rotated about 60 knots to a nose up attitude during takeoff. He said that the left wing raised “abruptly” due to a wind gust. He stated that he over corrected with left aileron and “set the plane back down on the runway.” The airplane was then heading for the edge of the runway and the pilot reduced the airplane throttle. The airplane exited the runway, its safety area, and nosed over in a plowed field. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight.