Cessna 152 N757YK accident near Paris, Texas

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff with a crosswind, which resulted in impact with a hay bale left of the runway, and his improper decision to perform a soft-field takeoff without adequate practice.

NTSB analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, while practicing a soft-field takeoff, he applied full power and pitched the airplane's nose "above the horizon." The airplane became airborne, the wind pushed the airplane to the left, and the airplane struck a hay bale on the left side of the runway. The student turned the airplane toward the runway and landed on the remaining runway without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage.

The chief flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 34 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 240° at 4 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 26 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 240° at 9 knots. The student was departing from runway 17.

The chief flight instructor reported that the student's flight instructor told him not to practice soft-field takeoffs during a solo flight. The instructor stated that the student required more practice on the takeoff technique.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA389 for the full record.