Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, a student pilot flying a Cessna 172 crashed during initial climb after departing from runway 18 at Olive Branch Airport in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Witnesses reported that the aircraft adopted a nose-high pitch attitude after takeoff, then at an altitude of about 75 to 100 feet, it suddenly turned east and descended vertically into the ground.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The student pilot had accumulated a total of 39.7 hours of flight experience and was conducting his third solo flight. His flight instructor had issued an endorsement specifying that solo flights should be performed in a Cessna 172 at Olive Branch Airport only when crosswinds were less than 5 knots. The reported surface winds at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 14 knots, exceeding the specified limit.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the flaps were set to 20 degrees. No preaccident anomalies were found with the airframe, flight controls, or engine. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the Cessna 172 states that flap settings greater than 10 degrees are not approved for takeoff.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not explicitly state a probable cause.