Incident Overview
On March 20, 2012, at 1725 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, registration N8421R, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Eagle Creek Airpark (KEYE) in Indianapolis, Indiana. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Skyscrapers Aviation, LLC, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that had departed about 1700.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot reported completing three successful takeoff-and-landings before attempting a soft-field takeoff on runway 21. During the takeoff, as the nose gear lifted off the runway, the airplane began to veer left. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder but was unable to regain directional control and decided to abort the takeoff. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a visual approach slope indicator and its associated power-supply box. The left wing main spar sustained substantial damage.
Pilot's Statement
The student pilot stated there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He noted that the accident could have been prevented had he maintained directional control with increased right rudder input to counteract the left-turning tendencies experienced during takeoff.
Weather Conditions
At 1753, the airport's automated surface observing system reported wind from 160 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 16 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 28°C; dew point 13°C; altimeter 30.02 inHg.