LA PORTE, TX, USA
N52336
Cessna 172P
The pilot of cessna 172P, N52336, reported that he lost control of the airplane, as he attempted to close and lock the left cabin window with his right hand, while the airplane was on the takeoff roll. He stated that the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and impacted a couple of taxiway lights prior to becoming airborne in a pronounced nose high attitude. The pilot further stated that while in 'ground effect the wheels of the airplane were never higher that 5 or 6 feet above the ground.' An instructor and his student were in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident. They reported that their airplane had just turned final approach to runway 23 as N52336 initiated his takeoff roll. They stated that the airplane pitched up with a steep nose high attitude moments after the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway. They further stated that 'the wings of the airplane started to rock left and right but then the left wing dropped.' The operator reported that the airplane struck the ground in a nose low attitude and in a slight left turn.
On July 29, 1997, at 1345 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N52336, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near La Porte, Texas. The solo student pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Cliff Hyde Flying Service Inc., of La Porte, Texas, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the La Porte Municipal Airport at approximately 1230. According to the pilot, he departed the airport and proceeded to practice area "Alpha" to practice some of the flight maneuvers for the private pilot flight check. Upon completion of his upper air work, he returned to the airport and executed a full stop landing on runway 23. After clearing the runway, the pilot observed his instructor on the flight line and elected to taxi over to talk to the instructor. The pilot added that after talking to his flight instructor for a few minutes, he decided "to perform another a touch and go landing before calling it a day." The pilot taxied back to runway 23 for takeoff. The pilot reported that he lost control of the airplane while he attempted to close and lock the left cabin window with his right hand while the airplane was on the takeoff roll. The pilot stated that the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and impacted a couple of taxiway lights prior to becoming airborne in a pronounced nose high attitude. The pilot further stated that while in "ground effect the wheels of the airplane were never higher that 5 or 6 feet above the ground." An instructor and his student were in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident. They reported that their airplane had just turned final approach to runway 23 as N52336 initiated his takeoff roll. They stated that the airplane pitched up with a steep nose high attitude moments after the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway. They further stated that "the wings of the airplane started to rock left and right but then the left wing dropped." The operator reported that the airplane struck the ground in a nose low attitude in a slight left turn. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector and the operator revealed that the left wing and both horizontal stabilizers sustained structural damage. In the enclosed narrative portion of the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot states that he should have been aware that the airplane was capable of taking off with a window open and he should have closed the window after the airplane reached a safe altitude.
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, as he attempted to close and lock the left cabin window. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's failure to follow the before takeoff checklist (secure the windows before starting the takeoff), and his diverted attention.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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