Accident Sequence
A student pilot with 12 hours of flight time and a certificated flight instructor (CFI) were conducting their first flight together. The student had completed one takeoff, traffic pattern circuit, and landing. Following the CFI's instruction, the student initiated another takeoff. After lift off, the airplane began to veer to the left. Despite verbal commands from the CFI, the drift and turn continued. The CFI then attempted to physically intervene on the flight controls but was initially resisted by the student. Recognizing that they could not avoid a treeline located 80 feet from the runway edge, the CFI leveled the wings and attempted to shut down the engine. The airplane impacted the trees approximately 10 feet above ground level.
Post-Accident Observations
The surface weather observation reported winds of 5 knots. Subsequent to the accident, the CFI stated that he normally emphasized transfer of control in preflight briefings, but he did not discuss that with this student.
Airport Information
The accident was the fifth one in 24 years that involved the same treeline. While the treeline was coincident with the runway proximity limit specified in the advisory circular for airport design, the airport's 2002 improvement plan prescribed an increase in the distance between the treeline and the runway edge. As of July 2009, the treeline had not been relocated.