On April 18, 1995, a Piper PA-28-151 (registration N188AV) operated by Flightways was involved in an aviation accident near Farmingdale, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane veering off the left side of the runway. A factor was the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a student pilot's first supervised solo takeoff, the airplane veered left off the runway and came to rest nose-down in a ditch. The student applied right rudder but could not correct. No aircraft discrepancies were found.
Incident Overview
A student pilot conducting their first supervised solo flight experienced a runway excursion during the takeoff roll. The airplane veered to the left, and despite the student applying right rudder input, the aircraft continued off the left side of the runway. It came to rest with its nose down in a ditch adjacent to the runway.
Pilot Statement
In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot reflected on the event, stating, "... I should have cut power...." This indicates the student recognized that reducing engine power might have prevented the excursion.
Aircraft Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane following the incident and found no discrepancies. The aircraft was determined to be in proper working condition at the time of the event.