Cessna 172S N5114Z accident near Harrison, New York

Probable cause

The student pilot’s excessive pitch up attitude during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor and student pilot reported that they were conducting a soft field takeoff when the student pilot applied excessive aft control yoke input, and the stall warning horn sounded. The flight instructor directed the student pilot to release some back pressure and pushed forward on the control yoke, which lowered the pitch attitude of the airplane. Subsequently, the student pilot aggressively reapplied what he thought was the appropriate amount of aft control yoke input and the airplane pitched up. The flight instructor attempted to correct for the excessive pitch up; however, she was unable to overpower the student pilot. The airplane stalled, rolled to the left and impacted the ground sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA209 for the full record.