Accident Sequence
A student pilot reported that immediately after liftoff, the airspeed began to decrease. Noticing the falling airspeed, the pilot glanced at the tachometer, which indicated 2,500 rpm. The pilot then leveled the aircraft, but the airspeed continued to drop, and the tachometer reading decreased to 2,100 rpm.
In response, the student pilot returned the airplane to the runway. However, after touchdown, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway. It struck a runway light, continued through a field, hit a road sign, and then proceeded through another field until reaching a ditch. Upon striking the ditch, the airplane nosed over.
The student pilot stated that when the aircraft hit the sign, rudder control was lost, and the pilot pulled the power.
Examination Findings
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. The aircraft appeared to have been operating normally at the time of the event.