Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 152, N757YK; accident occurred July 06, 2019 at Cox Field Airport (KPRX), Lamar County, Texas

View of empennage damage.

Federal Aviation Administration

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N757YK

Location: Paris, TX
Accident Number: GAA19CA389
Date & Time: 07/06/2019, 0930 CDT
Registration: N757YK
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

View of fuselage damage from underneath.

Federal Aviation Administration

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.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
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.

Findings

Aircraft
Heading/course - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)
Training with equipment - Student pilot (Cause)
Decision making/judgment - Student pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Crosswind - Effect on operation
Object/animal/substance - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Other weather encounter
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 23, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/12/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 54 hours (Total, all aircraft), 54 hours (Total, this make and model), 11 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N757YK
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15280108
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/13/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1670 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 11372.6 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235-L2C
Registered Owner: Us Aviation Group Llc
Rated Power: 110 hp
Operator: Us Aviation Group Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPRX, 547 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1356 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 156°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 7000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Paris, TX (PRX)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination:
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 0930 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: COX FIELD (PRX)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 547 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6002 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.641389, -95.454444 (est)