What happened
The incident occurred at an uncontrolled airport while a non-certificated student pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings. During one of these maneuvers, the aircraft touched down with an excessive crab angle relative to the runway centerline. Recognizing the unstable approach, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure.
As the pilot applied full throttle to climb away from the surface, the airplane veered sharply off the left side of the runway. The aircraft then collided with the airport's tetrahedron wind direction indicator located near the runway edge.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the immediate circumstances of the landing and the subsequent go-around. Examination of the event revealed that the initial touchdown was compromised by an excessive crab angle. This misalignment, combined with the sudden application of full power during the climb-out phase, resulted in a loss of directional control.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to maintain runway alignment during the go-around maneuver. The excessive crab angle at touchdown likely induced adverse yaw or roll moments that were not adequately corrected before power was increased. The sudden application of full throttle exacerbated the veering tendency, leading to the off-runway excursion and impact with the tetrahedron.
Safety message
This event highlights the critical importance of maintaining proper runway alignment during touch-and-go landings. Pilots must ensure that the crab angle is fully corrected before touchdown and maintain coordinated control inputs during the transition from descent to climb, especially when applying full power.