ALBANY, MN, USA
N95041
PIPER PA28-140
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF ON THE GRASS RUNWAY. HE REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AT A POINT ABOUT 1500 FEET DOWN THE GRASS RUNWAY, THERE WAS A 'LOSS IN RPM AND AIRSPEED.' POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE POWERPLANT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR TRACKS REVEALED THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOWED GRASS STRIP INTO TALLER VEGETATION AT A POINT APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN CONTINUED PAST THE END OF THE RUNWAY, ACROSS AN ALFALFA FIELD, UNTIL IT STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH AND THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE.
THE CFI'S FAILURE TO TAKE TIMELY AND PROPER REMEDIAL ACTION WHEN THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT ARE THE TALL GRASS EDGING THE RUNWAY, AND THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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