Event ERA14CA258

Factual narrative

The student pilot was on a solo training flight and was attempting to perform a simulated soft-field takeoff. While accelerating, the pilot "lost directional control due to improper use of [the rudder]." The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, crossed a parallel taxiway, and collided with an embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "…apply more right rudder immediately upon acceleration instead of trying to ease into it." The student pilot was on a solo training flight and was attempting to perform a simulated soft-field takeoff. While accelerating, the pilot "lost directional control due to improper use of [the rudder]." The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, crossed a parallel taxiway, and collided with an embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "…apply more right rudder immediately upon acceleration instead of trying to ease into it." Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Debris/dirt/foreign object-Contributed to outcome