19980801019299A

(-23) On August 1, 1998, at 1410 eastern daylight time a Cessna 152, N89074, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during the takeoff roll at the Culpeper county airport, Culpeper, Virginia. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR part 91. According to the pilot, as he began the takeoff roll on runway 4, the airplane started to yaw left. He said the throttle was at full power and he corrected with right rudder, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway onto the grass, struck a ditch and nosed over. The pilot reported over thirty hours of total flight experience including 17 hours in make and model and 7 hours solo flight experience. He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. On scene investigation indicated approximately 120 feet of tread marks on the runway of the right and nose gear extending from the center line of the runway to the edge. The trail continued for approximately 600 more feet into grassy areas with no skid marks until the aircraft nosed over in a ravine. The nose gear was sheared from the aircraft. Propeller damage and disturbed ground at the resting spot indicated the engine was running at the time of noseover. The ELT did activate and was disconnected by airport personnel. The aircraft sustained damage to the vertical stabilizer, the wwindshield, and to the engine mount structure/fire wall area. There was minimal fuel spill and the interior was intact.