NTSB Factual Report

On December 30, 2004, about 1235 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172R, N9962F, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Smoketown Airport (S37), Smoketown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured, while one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he received his private pilot certificate in July, 2004, and had accumulated about 64 hours of total flight experience. On December 28, the pilot received a 1.4-hour "check-out" flight in the accident airplane. On December 29, the pilot received a .7-hour "check-out" flight in the accident airplane, and was then authorized to rent the airplane.

On the day of the accident, the pilot boarded three passengers, and taxied to runway 28; a 2,400-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot initiated a takeoff roll, and rotated the airplane at 55 knots, but it did not become airborne. The airplane veered left and traveled off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and brake, but the airplane continued left and struck a parked airplane. The airplane then struck a fence and two parked vehicles before coming to rest upright in an adjacent parking lot.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

The reported wind at an airport about 7 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1253, was from 090 degrees at 3 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane.