Cessna 172
Grand Prairie, TX — July 29, 2018
Event Information
| Date | July 29, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA460 |
| Event ID | 20180729X33542 |
| Location | Grand Prairie, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.69889, -97.04694 |
| Airport | GRAND PRAIRIE MUNI |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Cessna |
| Model | 172 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline during takeoff with a crosswind.
Full Narrative
The student pilot reported that, while practicing soft field takeoffs, the airplane lifted off about mid-field and drifted to the left. He and the flight instructor tried to correct, but the airplane struck a runway sign, and spun to the left.
The flight instructor reported that, during the soft field takeoff, as soon as the airplane lifted off the ground, the student pilot lost his composure. He added that, while calling for the flight controls, he began to fight the student for the flight controls and yelled "let go". The airplane struck a taxiway sign and the airplane spun to the left.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots. The student pilot reported that the wind was from 220° to 240° at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane departed runway 17.
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.