Aviation Accident Summary CEN11CA158

McKinney, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N348ME

CESSNA 172S

Analysis

According to the student pilot, after finishing several takeoffs and landings with his instructor, he was completing his first series of solo takeoffs and landings. The first takeoff and landing was uneventful. During the second takeoff attempt, after applying full power on the takeoff roll, the airplane started shaking and swerving to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued going to the left. The pilot stated that he reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a construction ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall and left wing. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Factual Information

According to the student pilot, after finishing several takeoff and landings with his instructor, he was completing his first series of solo takeoff and landings. The first takeoff and landing was uneventful. During the second takeoff attempt, he stated that after applying full power on the takeoff roll, the airplane started shaking in the front and going to the left. He put in full right rudder, but the airplane continued going to the left. The pilot stated that he pulled the power back to idle and applied the brakes. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and went into a construction ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall and left wing. The pilot stated that he felt there may have been a mechanical problem with the nosewheel, rudder, or brakes. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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