N9204L

Substantial
None

Piper PA-28-161S/N: 2841004

Accident Details

Date
Friday, February 29, 2008
NTSB Number
MIA08CA069
Location
Vero Beach, FL
Event ID
20080416X00495
Coordinates
27.659166, -80.418891
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N9204L
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
2841004
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1988
Model / ICAO
PA-28-161P28A
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC
Address
PO BOX 2708
Status
Deregistered
City
VERO BEACH
State / Zip Code
FL 32961-2708
Country
United States

Analysis

The student pilot's instructor briefed and reviewed with the student several operational issues, including crosswind component limitations, before the accident flight, which was to be a solo cross country flight.

The student pilot stated that he taxied on the runway lining up with the center line. He noted wind direction and deflected the ailerons accordingly. He began the takeoff roll and at approximately 36 knots, indicated on the airspeed indicator, the left wing suddenly lifted off the ground and the airplane tilted to the left. At that moment, he reduced engine power to idle to abort the takeoff. The airplane continued rolling to the left towards the grass. The right wing hit a distance marker on the side of the runway. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

The responding FAA inspector stated that student pilot lost directional control of the airplane, which veered off the left side of the runway and impacted a distance marker about the 2,000 feet down the runway.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA08CA069