Cessna 152 N46953 accident near Miami, Florida

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The solo student pilot reported that after a normal taxi and run-up, he aligned the airplane on the runway centerline and started the takeoff roll. He further reported that he attempted to rotate the airplane at 50 knots and then again at 65 knots, but the airplane "couldn't takeoff." The student pilot subsequently reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes to abort the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane veered off the runway to the left and encountered high grass and a water retention lake about 635 feet from the runway centerline.

The student pilot reported that the airplane "wouldn't respond" to his control inputs during the aborted takeoff.

The left wing sustained substantial damage.

The operator reported in the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident Report that the student pilot "rotated too early and got fixated on the airspeed indicator. Then the left brake was touched causing the airplane to veer to the left."

The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector reported that he completed a postaccident examination of the airplane and found that the brakes were functional and confirmed flight control continuity.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA042 for the full record.