On October 17, 1991, a Cessna 152 II (registration N4712B) operated by Tri-air Flight School was involved in an aviation accident near Lee's Summit, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, IMPROPER TOUCH AND GO PROCEDURES, AND DIVERTED ATTENTION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During touch-and-go practice, a student pilot experienced directional instability due to unretracted flaps; the airplane veered off the runway, hit an embankment, and nosed over.
Accident Overview
A student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings. He had made several successful landings prior to the accident. On the final touch-and-go, during the takeoff portion, the airplane became directionally unstable as it accelerated. The pilot then realized that the flaps had not been retracted when takeoff power was applied. He retracted the flaps and reduced engine power, then attempted to abort the takeoff. Despite these actions, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck an embankment, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted.
The pilot provided the account of the event. No details about the aircraft type, registration, location, or date were included in the source. The condition of the pilot and any injuries were not reported. The extent of damage to the aircraft was not specified.