Burnham, PA, USA
N758XB
Cessna 172K
The student pilot preflighted the airplane, boarded, and started the engine. After completing the engine runup checks, he taxied onto the runway, and initiated the takeoff roll. As he applied full power, the airplane yawed left, departed the left side of the runway, and struck several trees before coming to a stop. The pilot did not experience any preimpact failures with the airplane, and stated that he just "lost control."
On April 27, 2003, about 1830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N758XB, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during the takeoff roll at the Mc Cardle Farm Airport (PS11), Burnham, Pennsylvania. The student pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. A flight plan was not filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he preflighted the airplane, boarded, and started the engine. After completing the engine runup checks, he taxied onto runway 5, which was turf, 1,800 feet long and 100 feet wide, and initiated the takeoff roll. As he applied full power, the airplane yawed left, departed the left side of the runway, went down an embankment, and struck several trees before coming to a stop. The pilot secured the engine and exited. The pilot added that he did not experience any preimpact failures with the airplane, and that he "lost control" during the takeoff roll. The student's last 90-day endorsement was approximately 1 year before the accident. He flew between 5 to 10 hours a year, and had a total flight experience of 130 hours. The pilot had 21 hours in the accident airplane make and model, with the majority of his flying being at the accident airport. His last flight was in October 2002, he flew about 1 hour, and completed five takeoff and landings at the accident airport. The pilot's last third-class medical certificate was dated October 30, 2001.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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