Beech BE-23 N9261S accident near Sanford, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

According to several witnesses, the pilot was performing touch-and-go landings on the 6,647-foot by 75-foot runway. The airplane had landed, and was beginning another takeoff roll when the accident occurred. A student pilot was seated in the left seat. The private pilot, seated in the right seat, reported that just after liftoff a gust of wind caused a loss of directional control. The airplane subsequently contacted the runway surface and veered off the right side of the runway surface. The private pilot reported that there were no known mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident, and that he had approximately 80 total hours of flight experience. A weather observation taken at the airport immediately after the accident included a wind speed of zero knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA458 for the full record.