This August 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None.Location: Bartlesville, Okla. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student was practicing takeoffs and landings. As he began a takeoff roll, he saw that the flaps were still extended to 30°.
He then retracted the flaps and the airplane began to drift to the left. He attempted to correct back to centerline, but was unable get control of the airplane before it went off the runway and collided with a perimeter fence. The empennage of the airplane was substantially damaged.
Probable cause: The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff due to an improper flap setting.
For more information: NTSB.gov. NTSB Identification: CEN10CA513
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