Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot's instructor briefed and reviewed with the student several operational issues, including crosswind components limitations, before the accident flight, which was to be a solo cross country flight. The student pilot stated, as he aligned on the runway he noted the wind direction and deflected the ailerons accordingly. During the takeoff roll, approximately 36 knots on the airspeed indicator, the left wing suddenly lifted off the ground and the airplane tilted to the left. He elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane continued rolling to the left towards the grass. The right wing hit a distance marker on the left side of the runway, which was 2,000 feet down the runway. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08CA069 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 29, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Vero Beach, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Vero Beach Municipal Airport (KVRB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-161
- N-number
- N9204L
- 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.