Primary finding
Probable cause
the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind which resulted in a loss of directional control. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind, the misunderstood radio communication, and the rough terrain which the airplane encountered.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot called for a wind check and misunderstood the velocity for 7 knots when it was actually 17 knots. He reported that on takeoff rotation the nose and left wing went 'straight up.' He decided to abort the landing and to use another runway. Once on the ground the airplane veered off the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the right wing contacted the terrain.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 16, 1997, at 1300 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N3820V, operated by a student pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control during takeoff on runway 30 (6,601' x 100') at the Sidney Municipal Airport, Sidney, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The pilot reported that he called for a wind check prior to departure. He reported he was informed that the winds were "220 at seventeen", but at the time he mistook the velocity for "seven" instead of seventeen. The pilot stated, "When I rotated the left wing and the nose went straight up." He reported that he leveled the airplane and decided to abort the takeoff in order to use another runway. The pilot reported that upon touchdown the airplane began to skid from left to right off the runway. He reported the nose gear separated from the airplane, it tipped up and the right wing caught the terrain. -