N2148Y

On July 19, 1998, at 0749 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2148Y, struck a runway sign during takeoff at the Chandler, Arizona, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated at 0730 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings to runway 22R. During the takeoff, he pitched forward for ground effect and the aircraft veered off to the left side of the runway and touched down in the grassy area between the parallel runways. The aircraft continued forward for approximately 200 yards. The pilot reported that he steered the airplane back toward the runway, took off, and completed a short field landing. While he was taxiing back, he noticed that the wing was damaged and was told that he had hit a sign next to the runway.

The pilot reported that the winds were from 200 degrees at 5 knots. He further reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.