Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was performing his seventh solo takeoff, when the tower controller cleared him for takeoff and told him to expedite due to other traffic. He added full throttle and looked down to check his airspeed; however, when he looked back up to the runway the airplane was left of the runway centerline. The student pilot applied right rudder and the airplane veered to the right. He then removed the right rudder input and the airplane “darted” to the left, exited the runway, and impacted a ditch and a runway sign. The airplane came to rest in the grass alongside of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA196 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 22, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Charles B Wheeler Downtown (MKC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-181
- N-number
- N227XY
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2022
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.