Probable cause
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing factors were the fence and trees.
NTSB analysis
During the takeoff roll, the student pilot pulled back on the yoke to raise the nose wheel off the runway. He reported that "as the nose rose, I lost visual on the runway." The student pilot thought the main landing gear tires had lifted off the runway and he lowered the nose to increase speed in ground effect. He then realized the airplane had drifted off the right side of the runway. The airplane struck a fence and trees, and came to rest upright in a field.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08CA068 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 28, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mankato, Kansas
- Nearest airport
- Mankato (TKO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-150
- N-number
- N50GM
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.