Student Pilot Reports Uncontrolled Left Turn During Takeoff

Incident Overview

A student pilot on his second solo flight reported that as the airplane became airborne during initial takeoff, it "violently veered 90 degrees to the left." In response, he immediately applied right rudder and reduced the throttle to idle. The aircraft was subsequently landed on the left side of the runway, departing the paved surface into the grass. It then continued across an intersecting runway before the pilot brought it to a full stop near a taxiway.

Damage Assessment

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the aircraft and noted that the excursion resulted in a buckling of the engine firewall. No other damage was specified.

Pilot Report and Conditions

The student pilot, who had accumulated 45 total flight hours, did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident. A review of local wind conditions at the airport did not reveal evidence of gusts that could have caused the deviation.