What happened
During an instructional flight, the accident airplane departed the paved surface while the pilot was attempting a touch-and-go landing maneuver. The aircraft veered off the runway and impacted a nearby ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The student pilot involved in the training exercise was not injured.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the airplane confirmed that it had sustained substantial damage consistent with striking a ditch after leaving the runway environment. No mechanical anomalies were identified that would have precluded normal operation during the maneuver.
Findings
The pilot reported that the aircraft swerved to the left immediately after power was applied for takeoff from the touch-and-go phase. This loss of directional control caused the airplane to exit the runway and collide with the ditch. The incident occurred during a training exercise, highlighting the challenges of maintaining control during critical low-altitude maneuvers.
Safety message
Maintaining directional control during the transition from landing to takeoff is critical for student pilots. Proper rudder input and coordination are essential to prevent swerving off the runway surface.