On 24 Dec 2019, a Piper PA28 140 was involved in an aviation accident near Cortland, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a snowbank and a subsequent nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A solo student pilot practicing a soft field takeoff experienced a left drift after entering ground effect, striking a snowbank and nosing over in snow adjacent to the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing.
Accident Overview
While practicing a soft field takeoff, a solo student pilot reported that the airplane entered ground effect and began drifting left of the runway center line. The drift continued despite the pilot's inputs, causing the aircraft to strike a snowbank and subsequently land in the snow adjacent to the runway. The airplane then nosed over.
Aircraft Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing of the airplane. No other damage was reported.
Pilot Report
The student pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot was the sole occupant and was conducting the takeoff as part of training.
Contributing factors
Student/instructed pilotHeading/course — Not attained/maintained