Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s inadvertent use of the control yoke to correct for a drift and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot reported that he had not flown for 45 days before the accident due to inclement weather. He added that, during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left. He further added that he attempted to correct for the drift by using the control yoke instead of the rudder. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a snow bank on the south side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The solo student pilot reported that, he had not flown for 45 days prior to the accident, due to inclement weather. He added that, during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left. He further added that, he attempted to correct for the drift by using the control yoke instead of the rudder. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a snow bank on the south side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.