NTSB Factual Report

On December 3, 2001, at 1410 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N248ND, operated by the University of North Dakota, collided with a runway light during a touch and go landing. The accident occurred while the student pilot was landing on runway 31 (5,509 feet by 150 feet, dry asphalt) at the Devils Lake Municipal Airport, Devils Lake, North Dakota. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed for the solo cross-country flight. The flight originated from Grand Forks, North Dakota, at 1300.

The student pilot reported that he received the local weather from the automated weather observing system upon arriving in the Devils Lake area. He then circled the airport to check the windsock prior to entering the traffic pattern for runway 31. The pilot reported the airplane touched down approximately 1/3 (approximatley 1,800 feet) down the runway during the landing. He reported the airplane veered to the left when he applied full power for the takeoff portion of the touch and go. The pilot reported he reduced the power to idle and attempted to stop the airplane; however, it continued off the side of the runway where it contacted a runway light with the left wing.

The winds reported at Devils Lake Municipal Airport at 1415, were from 160 degrees at 11 knots. The pilot reported the winds were from 140 degrees at 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff phase of a touch and go landing. Factors associated with the accident were the student's lack of total experience and the runway light which the airplane contacted.