The pilot of the Cessna 172 was attempting to land near Okeechobee, Fla. He engaged one notch of flaps and applied brakes and full power to initiate a short-field takeoff from a dirt road.
Shortly after takeoff, a gust of wind struck the airplane, and it subsequently turned left.
The nose hit a barbed wire fence, the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane flipped inverted into a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer.
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
NTSB Identification: ERA13CA137
This February 2013 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.