No fatalities

3 Jun 2020: Cessna 172 R — Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas, NV, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During an instructional flight for a soft-field takeoff, the airplane veered left after becoming airborne. The student could not maintain control; the instructor took over but could not realign the aircraft, which exited the runway and collided with terrain, damaging the left wing.

Event Summary

A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting an instructional flight focused on practicing a soft-field takeoff. The student pilot was at the controls.

Sequence of Events

Shortly after the airplane became airborne, it began turning left "drastically," according to the flight instructor. The student pilot reported being unable to control the airplane. The flight instructor then assumed control in an attempt to realign the airplane with the runway centerline and re-contact the ground to abort the takeoff. Despite the instructor's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer left and departed the left side of the runway.

Damage

The airplane subsequently collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.

Mechanical Status

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot