November 11, 2011, Sturgis, S.D., Cessna 172M Skyhawk

At about 0905 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The solo student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The student pilot’s flight instructor (CFI) later stated that, during the student pilot’s stop-and-go landing, the airplane’s flaps were not raised. After the ensuing takeoff, the airplane was observed to pitch up as much as 60 degrees.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A student pilot sustained fatal injuries and substantial aircraft damage in a crash following a loss of control during takeoff.
The accident likely occurred because the airplane's flaps were not raised after a stop-and-go landing, leading to an extreme pitch-up (60 degrees) and subsequent spin.
The engine appeared to be developing full power throughout the event, suggesting the accident was due to control issues rather than engine failure.

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The student pilot’s flight instructor (CFI) later stated that, during the student pilot’s stop-and-go landing, the airplane’s flaps were not raised. After the ensuing takeoff, the airplane was observed to pitch up as much as 60 degrees. The airplane entered a spin and impacted terrain vertically. According to the CFI, the airplane’s engine sounded like it was developing full power.