N5139B

On October 25, 1998, about 1400 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N5139B, registered to Douglas Aviation Inc, and operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed on takeoff from runway 18 at Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he applied full power to start his takeoff roll and as he approached 40 to 45 knots, indicated airspeed, the airplane started to buffet, would not respond to right rudder, and veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated he applied brakes and pulled the throttle back, but braking was not effective in the grass, and the airplane started to become airborne. The left drift continued until collision with adjacent trees and a ditch. At some point during the runway excursion, the throttle was "bumped" forward, and had to be pulled off when the airplane came to rest. The pilot stated he did have enough directional control to steer the airplane between trees to avoid a head-on collision. He stated that this was his third solo flight, and noted no aircraft discrepancies during his preflight inspection, taxi, or pretakeoff checks. The pilot reported the surface winds at the time of his takeoff were calm.

FAA inspectors examined the aircraft and runway. They stated the distance from brake release to the runway excursion was about 800 feet. The distance from runway departure to the tree impact point was about 600 feet. Examination of the airplane revealed no malfunctions of the flight controls, the throttle control, the nosewheel steering or the braking systems.