WPR09CA073

At rotation during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered off the runway, crossed a taxiway, struck a parked helicopter, and impacted cement pilings before erupting in flames. The student pilot reported that he attempted to correct back to the runway with right aileron and rudder, and when the airplane continued off the runway, he tried to close the throttle and stop the airplane. A ground witness reported that the engine noise increased as the airplane came toward the helicopter as if the pilot were attempting to take off. The airplane was destroyed by the ground fire and no meaningful examinations could be made of the control system or the brakes.

According to the student pilot he was going on his first solo cross-country flight. He performed a preflight with no problems noted with the airplane. He taxied to the active runway, and prepared to takeoff. As the airplane reached rotation speed, it suddenly veered to the left. He added right aileron and rudder. He tried to close the throttle and stop the airplane, but he could not maintain control of the airplane. He pulled the mixture and carburetor heat and applied the brakes. The airplane continued off the left of the runway and crossed over a taxiway before it struck a helicopter and came to rest in the cement pilings next to a hangar. A fire erupted at the engine. He reached back to get the fire extinguisher and when he looked back, he saw that his socks were burning and he exited the airplane. According to a witness, he saw the airplane coming at him on the taxiway after departing the runway. The airplane was at a high rate of speed, and the engine noise increased as if the pilot was attempting to takeoff. It then hit a helicopter and guard post where it caught fire.