Incident Overview
A student pilot, under the instruction of a certified flight instructor (CFI), was practicing a takeoff. The student had been instructed to follow through with his left hand on the controls during the takeoff maneuver. After liftoff, the CFI perceived that the aircraft was climbing too steeply.
Actions Taken
The CFI instructed the student to release the controls, suspecting that the student was applying excessive back pressure. Despite this input, the CFI continued to sense that the aircraft was climbing too steeply. As a result, the CFI decided to perform a precautionary landing.
Outcome
Following touchdown, the aircraft overran the remaining runway and continued into the grass area beyond the runway. It subsequently collided with a ditch before coming to a stop.
Post-Incident Findings
According to information received from the pilot at a later date, no mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft's control system was discovered.
Summary
This incident involved a training flight where a perceived steep climb during takeoff led to a precautionary landing. The landing ended with a runway overrun and a collision with a ditch. The aircraft's control system was reported to have functioned normally.