N2228L – CESSNA 172SP – 2009-01-01 NTSB Accident Report

On January 01, 2009, a Cessna 172SP (N2228L) was involved in an incident near Lancaster, NY. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's lack of solo flight experience and the snow bank located off the left side of the runway.

The student pilot was conducting his first solo flight and had performed two uneventful stop-and-go landings. As the airplane accelerated during the third takeoff, it began to veer to the left. The student pilot applied right rudder; however, the airplane contacted a snow bank located off the left side of the runway and nosed over, substantially damaging the airplane. The student pilot stated that the winds were calm and the ailerons were in a neutral position during the takeoff. He did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA119. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2228L.