Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot did not maintain directional control while practicing a soft-field takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis 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.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 20, 2012, at 1725 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N8421R, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Eagle Creek Airpark (KEYE), Indianapolis, Indiana. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Skyscrapers Aviation, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed about 1700. The student pilot reported that he had successfully completed 3 takeoff-and-landings before attempting a soft-field takeoff on runway 21. 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 during the aborted takeoff. The left wing main spar sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. 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. At 1753, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 160 degrees at 8 knots, gusting 16 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky condition clear, temperature 28 degrees Celsius; dew point 13 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury.