On January 4, 2001, a Cessna 172S (registration N727SP) was involved in an aviation accident near Sioux Falls, SD. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Aircraft directional control not being maintained by the student pilot during the takeoff roll. Factors to the accident were the snow bank and the student pilot's lack of total experience. 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.
A student pilot lost directional control during a takeoff run while practicing solo touch-and-go landings, leading to the aircraft hitting a snow windrow and sustaining damage.
Accident
A student pilot experienced a loss of directional control during a takeoff run while practicing solo touch-and-go landings. The pilot reported that after a successful landing, he initiated a takeoff. As he added power, the airplane began to shimmy. He attempted to correct the deviation but was unable to regain control. He then reduced power to idle and tried to stop, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a windrow of snow. The impact with the snow caused the airplane's tail to lift and spin around, resulting in the right wing striking the ground, causing damage.
Pilot Experience
The pilot stated that his total flight time was 24.1 hours, all of which were accumulated in the accident airplane make and model. He reported having 1.4 hours of pilot-in-command time.
What happened in the 4 Jan 2001 Cessna 172S accident near Sioux Falls, SD?
A student pilot lost directional control during a takeoff run while practicing solo touch-and-go landings, leading to the aircraft hitting a snow windrow and sustaining damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 4 Jan 2001 Cessna 172S accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Jan 2001 involved a Cessna 172S, registration N727SP, at Sioux Falls, SD.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Aircraft directional control not being maintained by the student pilot during the takeoff roll. Factors to the accident were the snow bank and the student pilot's lack of total experience.
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