Accident Summary
A student pilot lost directional control of an airplane while attempting a short field takeoff, resulting in the aircraft departing the left side of the runway and entering a shallow ditch. The student pilot was conducting a solo instructional flight at the time of the incident.
Pilot Information
The student pilot reported having less than 17 hours of total flight time, which included 3.2 hours as pilot-in-command. He characterized the accident as resulting from his own mistake.
Sequence of Events
According to the student pilot's account, the incident occurred during an attempted short field takeoff. During the takeoff roll, he lost directional control of the airplane. The aircraft subsequently ran off the left side of the runway and into a shallow ditch adjacent to the runway.
Pilot Commentary
The student pilot indicated that he believed the accident was caused by his error. No further details regarding the specific nature of the mistake were provided in his statement.