Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff due to an improper flap setting.
NTSB analysis
According to a written statement received from the student pilot, during the takeoff roll and lift off from runway 17, the student pilot saw that the flaps were still extended to 30 degrees. He then retracted the flaps and the airplane began to drift to the left. He attempted to correct back to centerline, but was unable. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, continued across the field and impacted a perimeter fence. The empennage of the airplane was substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane and its systems, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed no anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA513 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 28, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bartlesville, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Bartlesville Municipal Airport (KBVO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N52071
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.