NYC97LA028

Factual narrative

On December 11, 1996, at 1140 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N68180, was substantially damaged when it collided with a snow bank during the takeoff roll at the Mansfield Municipal Airport, Mansfield, Massachusetts. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo flight that originated at Mansfield. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot (SP) stated that he attempted a practice soft field takeoff on the asphalt runway at Mansfield. He further stated: "...Insufficient rudder control at full power caused aircraft to veer left off runway and into snow. Power was cut and as aircraft lost momentum nosewheel sank causing aircraft to flip over." According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failures of the airplane or brake system. The FAA Inspector also reported that at the time of the accident, the runway was dry and the winds were calm. The SP's total flying experience was about 75 hours in make and model, of which 21 hours were solo flight. The student pilot attempted a practice soft field takeoff on an asphalt runway. He stated that he applied insufficient rudder during the takeoff roll, and the airplane veered left into a snowbank and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failure of the airplane or brake system. At the time of the accident, the runway was dry, and the wind was calm. The student pilot had 21 hours of total solo flight time. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12