CESSNA 150
Newburyport, MA — June 4, 2017
Event Information
| Date | June 4, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA326 |
| Event ID | 20170604X22152 |
| Location | Newburyport, MA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 42.79528, -70.83945 |
| Airport | PLUM ISLAND |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 150 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot's decision to attempt to close the cockpit window during takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.
Full Narrative
The solo student pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll the pilot's side window blew open as full power was applied. He added that he "reached over with [his] right hand to close [the] window," but as he did so, the airplane veered off the runway to the left into a wooded area and impacted terrain. The student pilot reported that he had noticed on previous flights that the window latch was loose, and he had planned to get it fixed, but had not done so.
Both wings sustained substantial damage.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.