EV-97 TeamEurostar UK, G-CGZF, 26 August 2013
EV-97 TeamEurostar UK, G-CGZF
Summary:
The instructor and his student were engaged in Exercises 12 and 13 (Introduction to Takeoff) of the Private Pilot’s Licence syllabus. It was the student pilot’s fifth assisted takeoff and, with full power applied, some right rudder pedal pressure was necessary to keep the aircraft straight. Although the instructor was providing some assistance, he felt that everything was satisfactory until, at a speed of about 30-35 mph, the student suddenly pushed the left pedal hard down and froze. The instructor shouted “I have control” but the student did not appear to hear and the instructor could only oppose the student’s input sufficient to centre the rudder. The student then closed the throttle whilst the instructor attempted to apply full power to fly away but again the student prevailed and the aircraft veered off the runway to the left and stopped in a ploughed field.
The student later stated that he had some hearing difficulties but could not offer an explanation for the erroneous pedal input. The instructor feels that more time may have been required for briefing this student but, as the student had successfully completed takeoffs before, the instructor may have been lulled into a false sense of security about the student’s ability.
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