This February 2009 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 152. Injuries: None. Location: Ellensburg, Wash. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot, who was practicing touch-and-go landings in calm winds, inadvertently landed near the left edge of the runway. During the landing roll, he did not correct back to the runway centerline. When he added power for takeoff, the airplane veered off the runway. The terrain was rough and the airplane’s nose-wheel collapsed.
Probable cause: The failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
For more information: NTSB.gov
Another “shining example” of really lousy flight instruction! It’s not an epidemic in this country!