Student Pilot Veers Left During Soft Field Takeoff, Strikes Culvert

Incident Description

During a practice soft field takeoff, the student pilot pulled the yoke back and applied full power. The airplane veered left and skidded off the runway, where the propeller struck a concrete culvert. The skid continued across the grass, and the airplane came to rest in a drainage area.

Examination

A post-accident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings, firewall, and fuselage. The student pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.