Twenty lashes with a wet noodle for the CFI who turned this person loose
without exploring this not-uncommon problem.

Bob Gardner

"gatt" wrote in message
. ..

Here's a learning opportunity involving the effects of hangars on
crosswind correction, as well as soft-field operations. I used to rent
this aircraft and noticed that it disappeared from the flight line last
summer.


" 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation...
Aircraft: Cessna 172M, registration: NXXXX
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

During the takeoff roll in a 30 degree crosswind of about 12 knots, the
aircraft passed on the leeward side of a number of hangars of varying
size. As the aircraft passed through the area where the wind was blocked
by the individual hangars into areas where the wind was not blocked, the
student pilot failed to adequately compensate for the resultant change in
wind velocity and direction. As the student pilot continued the takeoff,
the aircraft departed the side of the runway, impacted a taxiway exit
sign, and entered into an area of wet, soft ground. The student pilot then
pulled the power to idle and applied "full brakes." The nose gear then dug
into the terrain and ultimately collapsed. There were no anomalies found
in the rudder or nose wheel steering systems.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s)
of this accident as follows:
The student pilot's failure to adequately correct for changing wind
conditions, leading to a loss of directional control during the takeoff
ground roll. Factors include wet, soft terrain along the side of the
runway."

Have a safe and spectacular weekend!

-c