Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft directional control during the takeoff ground run.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot stated he was planning to practice takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern during his second solo flight. He reported the takeoff '...was proceeding straight down runway...airspeed...was approximately 60 knots when aircraft suddenly veered left.' the student pilot applied right rudder and the airplane '...straightened slightly...' but the airplane struck a snowbank and came to rest 20 to 30 feet from the runway. The student pilot had 18.8 hours total flight time, including .6 hours as pic. The accident flight was the student's first flight without his instructor's direct supervision. There was no evidence of (or claim of) mechanical malfunction.
Source record
Factual narrative
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