Diamond Aircraft Industry Inc DA 20-C1 N644DC accident near Stevensville, Maryland

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The solo student pilot stated that as he was initiating a takeoff on runway 11, he increased engine power and rudder input. During the takeoff roll, the student pilot rotated the airplane about 55 knots, and the nose landing gear lifted off the runway. The right wing then rose up and the airplane yawed to the left. The student pilot tried to correct aileron input; however, he moved the control stick rearward, but not to the side. The airplane continued off the left side of the runway and struck an embankment. During the impact, the airplane sustained damage to the landing gear, right wing, propeller, and fuselage. The reported wind at an airport 12 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 110 degrees at 7 knots. The student pilot reported a total flight experience of 13.5 hours, all of which was in the make and model accident airplane and accumulated during the 30 days preceding the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for NYC08CA313 for the full record.