No fatalities

Student Pilot's Short Field Takeoff Leads to Collision with Anemometer Pole

Palo Alto, CA, United States

On May 3, 2010, a CESSNA 172S operated by OPENSKY AIRWAYS LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Palo Alto, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the certified flight instructor’s delayed response to the student pilot's loss of control during the takeoff roll. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During a short field takeoff, a student pilot's airplane yawed left and became airborne nose-high. The CFI took control but the airplane struck an anemometer pole, sustaining substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and right wing.

Incident Details

A certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that a student pilot, seated in the left seat, was performing a short field takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane yawed dramatically to the left and lifted off in a nose-high attitude. The CFI, who was in the right seat, took control of the airplane and applied forward pressure on the yoke to regain control. However, during the recovery, the airplane collided with an anemometer pole.

Damage

The collision resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. Additionally, damage was noted to the right wing. Despite the impact, the CFI was able to continue the flight and entered a non-standard pattern for the runway, landing without further incident.

Mechanical Condition

The CFI reported no pre-accident mechanical deficiencies or anomalies with the airplane. The incident appears to have been the result of the takeoff maneuver and subsequent control inputs rather than any mechanical failure.

Contributing factors

Causes

Instructor/check pilotStudent pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 May 2010 CESSNA 172S accident near Palo Alto, CA?

During a short field takeoff, a student pilot's airplane yawed left and became airborne nose-high. The CFI took control but the airplane struck an anemometer pole, sustaining substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and right wing.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 May 2010 CESSNA 172S accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 May 2010 involved a CESSNA 172S, operated by OPENSKY AIRWAYS LLC, at Palo Alto, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the certified flight instructor’s delayed response to the student pilot's loss of control during the takeoff roll.