CHI03LA073

Factual narrative

On February 14, 2003, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N693SA, operated by American Wings Academy, sustained substantial damage when it veered off runway 8 (2,500 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) during takeoff roll at Clare Municipal Airport (48D), Clare, Michigan. The student pilot was not injured. The Title 14 Part 91 solo cross country instructional flight was departing 48D en route to Bishop International Airport (FNT), Flint, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was on a VFR flight plan. The student pilot, who had a total of 38 hours of flight time, reported that she "pulled the nose up too soon" during takeoff. The airplane veered to the left as she tried to lower the nose. She reduced power but was unable to prevent the airplane from departing the runway and hitting a snow bank on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway and hit a snow bank. The student pilot was on a solo cross country instructional flight. The student pilot, who had a total of 38 hours of flight time, reported that she "pulled the nose up too soon" during takeoff. The airplane veered to the left as she tried to lower the nose. She reduced power but was unable to prevent the airplane from departing the runway and hitting a snow bank on the left side of the runway. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12