Accident Details
The accident occurred when a 37-hour student pilot attempted to take off on Runway 32 under conditions of a left crosswind, reported as approximately 30 degrees at 15 knots. According to the pilot, directional control was lost as the aircraft lifted off, causing it to veer left off the runway. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff and landed on a taxiway that ran parallel and adjacent to the runway. The aircraft continued to veer left, departed the paved surface, and entered a weed-covered field. Before the pilot could stop the aircraft, it encountered a ditch.
Instructor Statement
The student's flight instructor had landed at Los Banos Airport approximately one hour prior to the accident while on a dual cross-country flight with another student. At that time, the instructor reported winds from the west-northwest gusting to 20 knots. The instructor and the second student departed about 10 minutes before the accident, with winds from the west-northwest at 15 to 17 knots. The flight instructor stated that the student pilot involved in the accident had previously experienced and handled similar wind conditions during prior dual flights without difficulty.