NTSB Factual Report

The student pilot, who had just completed a full-stop landing and taxied back to the approach end of the runway, started his takeoff roll in a wind of about eight knots, which was coming from about 45 degrees to the right of the nose of the airplane. Just prior to the pilot initiating the rotation, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right, which resulted in the right wing raising and the airplane yawing to the left. Although the pilot attempted to correct for the gust by applying right aileron and right rudder, the airplane continued toward the left edge of the 75-foot wide runway. The pilot, who therefore decided to abort the takeoff, reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes. During his attempt to bring the airplane to a stop, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, whereupon it collided with a large bush, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot and the operator, there was no indication of any mechanical malfunction associated with the accident sequence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll and the subsequent aborted takeoff in a gusting crosswind.